In case you wondered too: (updated) Two May Day rallies in West Seattle

4:15 PM: Several people have asked today if any protests/rallies are planned in West Seattle tomorrow (Thursday, May 1) in addition to the ones announced for downtown Seattle and elsewhere. So in case you’re wondering too: The only people we’ve heard from are the “Old Tyme Adults for Democracy,” who’ve rallied at Admiral/California previously – the sign in our photo is from their first one – and plan to be there 2-3 pm tomorrow, with a “street rally for democracy, and they invite community members to join them. (Anything else locally? Let us know.)

12:10 AM: We’ve also received word of a planned faculty/staff walkout at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) at 10 am Thursday, with a rally at the clock-tower plaza, “to protest state and district-level budget cuts on the backs of our college’s underpaid student support professionals.”

Derek April 30, 2025 (4:42 pm)

Best day of the year! And Trump’s House just voted to take away state workers’ pensions as if they already dont have lower salaries than private sector counterparts. I’ll be there marching in solidarity!

Rhonda April 30, 2025 (9:26 pm)

Reply

Derek, President Trump (or any President) nor Congress has any say over the pensions of state, county, or city workers.
- Derek April 30, 2025 (9:59 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  Rhonda, one word, an innocent typo about today’s Oversight Committee news that deeply affects former postal coworkers of mine, has done me in. Sorry to report. I hope you accept my apology. And to be fair I said “Trump’s House” meaning House of Representatives. But thank you.

Broke April 30, 2025 (5:39 pm)

How did Trump take away state workers pensions? The federal government has no say in state workers compensation.

1994 April 30, 2025 (9:23 pm)

Reply

Sounds like Derek is sharing some fake news.
Derek April 30, 2025 (9:33 pm)

Reply

I meant federal workers, sorry. I could not edit in time earlier.
- Dan May 1, 2025 (9:46 am)
  
  Reply
  
  This is what I feel. Thank you for sharing this important information. Could you please share a link to the house oversight committee meeting? This way, people can see the information for themselves firsthand!
  - Daniel May 1, 2025 (9:56 am)
    
    Reply
    
    I’m not sure what Derek is referring to, but I guess it would be this cut to federal pension system. It doesn’t take away pensions, but it makes them more expensive (for the worker) and less beneficial.

The King April 30, 2025 (7:36 pm)

I would like to see a link to this info. What I read a couple days ago was a proposed reconciliation of federal employee pensions. Raise their contribution, extend the payout base from 3 to 5 years and get rid of an annuity payment they get now if they retire before age eligibility of which I know nothing about. They claim it will save taxpayers $45 billion.

Derek April 30, 2025 (9:35 pm)

Reply

That is bad. They eliminate FERS annual supplement. And raised contribution requirements. The tax payer savings is negligible and nothing compared to federal workers making less and getting less than promised. This is some BS.
- The King May 1, 2025 (1:34 am)
  
  Reply
  
  From what I’ve read so far the proposed changes are setting up FERS exactly like the Washington State’s pers retirements. With the exception of pers1 which isn’t an option anymore. This isn’t something new honestly. California passed a pension reform act back in 2012 due to budget concerns with employees spiking their big earning years to raise pension payouts. Years ago retirees there actually took a 44% cut after they were retired. Nothings really guaranteed, especially if treasuries get dumped.