PEP, March 2005: Rally blasts work conditions at DJJ

By GREGORY N. HEIRES

Dept. of Juvenile Justice Counselors rallied Jan. 6 at agency headquarters, shortly after they voted no confidence in Commissioner Neal Hernandez. Local 1457 charges that his administration has failed to address workplace violence, understaffing and excessive overtime.

Dozens of members and supporters of Juvenile Center Employees Local 1457 joined the demonstration and voiced solidarity with Local 1457 President Alex Parker, who is facing a 60-day suspension. As tour commander, he was blamed when a youth escaped from Horizon Juvenile Center last summer.

Parker’s suspension was scheduled to begin Feb. 28. The union is fighting it — charging that management actually targeted Parker for his outspoken leadership — and seeking expedited arbitration. The union has pointed out that the escape happened partly because management failed to follow proper security procedures.

“There is gross mismanagement,” Parker told the demonstrators. He pledged that the local would keep up the pressure on Hernandez and his administration to deal with the union’s workplace concerns.

“The commissioner knew about this rally and went on vacation, so there is no one here to talk to us,” Parker said. “He has scapegoated union people, including me. He has done nothing but attack us.”

As demonstrators marched they chanted, “Hey, ho, Neal Hernandez has got to go” and “No justice, no peace.” Their handwritten signs carried pointed messages like “Commissioner!!! Stop hiding and face the union,” “Peace Officer Status Now!” and “This is the worst DJJ administration in history.”

During the demonstration, DJJ General Counsel Herman Dawson took photographs, and Mindy Roth, administrative director of office services, peered from a window, apparently taking down names. Contending that these actions constituted intimidation, DC 37 Assistant General Counsel Leonard Polletta said the union may file an improper practice charge.

In interviews, Local 1457 members had harsh words for DJJ management, which they called heavy-handed, vindictive and incompetent. They said management had sabotaged the local’s effort to pass legislation granting Juvenile Counselors peace officer status, which would increase the penalty for assaults against them.

“Morale is extremely low,” Vice President Darek Robinson said. “Counselors are tired working two to three overtime shifts a week,” he said. Last year, the local filed a federal lawsuit, charging the agency with failing to make timely overtime payments. “Working conditions are unsafe, with a lot of assaults on staff,” said Counselor John Rondon.

Shortly after the rally, Commissioner Hernandez wrote DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts to highlight Mayor Bloomberg’s inclusion of 200 new positions in his new budget proposal on top of 41 hires this year.

Local 1457 Corresponding Secretary Ron Shields said the administration singled out Parker for disciplinary charges because of his union activism.