(LATHAM, NEW YORK) – Late last week, hundreds of Educators, Labor Leaders, Public Service Workers and Lawmakers joined the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) in Westchester at State University of New York (SUNY) Westchester Community College and in the Capital Region at Schenectady City Hall to advocate for pension reform to ensure that careers in public service remain enticing and sustainable.

On the sixth of every month through June, NYSUT is rallying to Fix Tier 6 of the New York State Pension System.

NYSUT is leading the fight for tier equity because it is unacceptable Public Employees under Tiers 5 and 6 must work longer, contribute more and still ultimately earn significantly less in retirement than their colleagues in Tier 4.

New York is already experiencing a shortage of Public Employees that is causing gaps in critical public services like education, health care and public safety - and will need hundreds of thousands of new Public Employees in the coming years.

NYSUT President Melinda Person said: “The State needs more of us and our colleagues across the Public Sector, but it’s harder and harder to recruit young people when they hear what a bad hand they’re being dealt with Tier Six. Making sure we have a fair Pension System is part of keeping New York an affordable and fulfilling place where we can live, work and grow our families.”

NYSUT's next Fix Tier 6 rallies will be held on April 6th in Binghamton and the North Country.

NYSUT Editor’s Note: For more information and a full list of events, visit www.fixtier6.org/events.

Photo Courtesy Of NYSUT.