Union leaders raise alarm over staffing issues at Social Security Administration

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Union leaders representing federal workers in southeast Wisconsin are raising the alarm over staffing issues at the Social Security Administration. 

Since last Spring, the agency has laid off more than 10% of its workforce. 

On top of that, the American Federation of Government Employees says field office and call center staffing is down. 

Union leaders say that's leaving employees over-worked and Americans underserved. 

"There's not enough workers to meet public demand, they're not getting paid enough to deal with the stress and mounting work that keeps piling up while the public comes for their earned social security benefits and services in record numbers." said Jessica LaPointe, American Federation of Government Employees.

Union leaders are asking Congress to step in, hoping they'll give the agency a hiring boost when considering the program's funding for 2026. 

That debate is expected to play out in Washington at the end of the month.