several members of RC #45 were honored to travel to Albany and participate in the Statewide Rally to Fix Tier 6, joining thousands of union members from across New York who gathered to call for reforms to the state’s pension system for public employees.
Tier 6, enacted in 2012, has created significant challenges for many educators and public workers beginning their careers in New York State. Under the current structure, Tier 6 members must contribute to the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System for their entire careers, with contribution rates that increase as salaries rise—beginning at 3 percent and reaching as high as 6 percent. Unlike earlier tiers, Tier 6 members face steep penalties if they retire before age 63 and must often work longer while ultimately receiving reduced retirement benefits. Many in the labor movement believe these provisions make it harder to attract and retain talented professionals in education and public service.
When we arrived in Albany, we joined nearly 15,000 union members inside the MVP Arena, creating an electric atmosphere of solidarity. Delegations from across the state filled the arena, and each region erupted in cheers when recognized—including a strong showing from the Southern Tier.
The program opened with Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO, who reminded the crowd that the labor movement is a family. Working people, he emphasized, have the power to create change when they stand together. From firefighters and electricians to nurses, librarians, teachers, and law enforcement officers, the arena was filled with workers who keep New York running every day.
Melinda Person, President of NYSUT—wearing a bright “Fix Tier 6” pantsuit—spoke passionately about both our personal and professional families in education. She reminded the audience that pensions are not bonuses; they are promises earned through decades of service. Tier 6 members, she noted, are being asked to work longer, pay more, and receive less than previous generations of educators. They deserve the same respect and security that earlier tiers received.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan welcomed attendees and expressed appreciation for the workers who keep the state strong. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a crowd favorite, emphasized that New York’s public pension systems remain among the best funded in the nation. Because they are financially strong, he noted, the state has the ability—and the responsibility—to improve Tier 6.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins thanked the labor movement for organizing and reminded the crowd that New York has long been powered by the work and sacrifice of union members. Maintaining a strong workforce, she said, requires making the state a competitive employer that respects those who serve the public.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the 100th Speaker of the New York State Assembly, spoke about the need to restore the promise of a dignified retirement for public employees.
Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, highlighted the broader importance of protecting retirement security. She stressed that pensions, Medicare, and Social Security represent a social contract with workers who dedicate their lives to public service. Tier 6, she said, broke that promise—and it must be fixed.
Other speakers reinforced the same message. Wayne Spence, President of the Public Employees Federation, reminded the crowd that “New York works because we work.” Sam Fresina, representing the New York State Professional Firefighters Association, asked why reforms have not yet been made when so many leaders acknowledge that Tier 6 needs improvement.
Adding a moment of humor to the rally was Lisa Ann Walter, actress from Abbott Elementary and Vice President of the Los Angeles SAG-AFTRA local. Walter delighted the crowd with a brief stand-up routine while expressing deep respect for the work educators and public servants perform every day.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew delivered one of the day’s strongest messages, reminding attendees that Tier 6 represents an injustice created fourteen years ago. Excessive contributions, harsh penalties for early retirement, caps on overtime, and the retirement age of 63, he said, undermine the promise made to public employees.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also addressed the crowd, speaking about the importance of fairness and equity in the state’s pension system.
Pat Kane, Executive Director of the New York State Nurses Association, emphasized that more than 14,000 nurses across the state help keep New York thriving. Secure retirements, she noted, strengthen not only workers but entire communities.
Governor Kathy Hochul closed the program by acknowledging the size and energy of the rally. She pointed to some recent improvements to Tier 6, including reducing the vesting period from ten years to five and shortening the final average salary calculation from five years to three. However, she acknowledged that more work remains to address burnout, retirement age concerns, and the need for a fairer pension structure.
The rally served as a powerful reminder of what can happen when workers across professions unite around a common cause. The message from the arena was clear: New York’s public employees deserve dignity on the job—and dignity in retirement.