NYS AFL-CIO Launches Statewide Television Ad Campaign Opposing Wall St.'s Push to Cut Pensions by 40%

ALBANY, NY (03/08/2012)(readMedia)-- Tomorrow, the 2.5 million member NYS AFL-CIO will launch a statewide television ad campaign to fight the corporate backed scheme to cut the pensions of middle class workers by 40%. Tier 6 would deliver a fatal blow to the retirement security of nurses, teachers, firefighters, school bus drivers and other state and local government workers that New Yorkers depend on.

"We can't forget that Wall St. misdeeds were responsible for the meltdown of our economy and that middle class New Yorkers have paid the price with their jobs and economic well being," said NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento. "If that weren't bad enough, now Wall St. is calling for a 40% cut to the pensions of middle class workers."

Since the plan was proposed in January, the labor movement has mounted a comprehensive and coordinated grassroots campaign involving affiliated unions and members from every region of the state. Members from all sectors have responded, flooding the Capitol with letters and phone calls opposing Tier 6. In addition, a radio ad opposing Tier 6 was launched by the NYS AFL-CIO last month. This new ad buy will be augmented by a direct mail campaign with hundreds of thousands of mail pieces landing across the state in the coming days.

Cilento said, "Tier 6 does nothing to address the problems caused by Wall St., but it decimates the long-term economic security of hard working New Yorkers. Quite frankly, it's disappointing that we're being forced to respond with ads to educate the public."

The ad can be viewed at http://www.nysaflcio.org/tier6.

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