Public Employee Press Social Service workers protest
Rally hits safety issues


Despite blustering winds and pelting rain, members of Social Service Employees Union Local 371 rallied for workplace safety Nov. 8 at City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan.

"We're out here as a result of several incidents," said Local 371 President Faye Moore, who led the demonstration. "Our members are absolutely committed to providing social services. The city should be just as committed to protecting the workers."

On June 30, city Police Officers assaulted two Child Protective Services workers as they removed children from a Bronx home where they were in danger of abuse.

On Aug. 1, a Dept. of Homeless Services Special Officer at the Bellevue Shelter assaulted and handcuffed a Superintendent of Adult Institutions who intervened to break up a disturbance involving two residents.

"These incidents could have been prevented," said DC 37 Safety Department Director Lee Clarke, who participated in the rally.

"The Administration for Children's Services is not complying with the workplace violence law and has outstanding Dept. of Labor citations against it."

The rally also called attention to the recession-driven growth in demand for social services, which has led to crowding and unsafe work conditions at job centers and other agencies.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and DC 37 Associate Director Oliver Gray addressed the assembled union members, who chanted slogans about respect and a safer work environment. Gray called on the city to "stop spending money on private contracts and spend it on social service workers instead." He praised the hard work of the SSEU Local 371 members and said, "They take care of those who can't take care of themselves."

Local Vice President Anthony Wells, who introduced speakers at the demonstration, told PEP the local is "committed to improving the safety of the workers, both in the workplace and in the field." Local 371 is pressing for legislation to make assaulting social service workers a felony.

"We need more respect for municipal workers," said Local 371 Staff Organizer Aubrey Norris, who has 28 years as a city worker. "Often, the public really doesn't know what we do. We help make the city work. I'm out here today to support my union and to show solidarity."