On March 28, a large DC 37 delegation headed by Executive Director Lillian Roberts met at length with new Human Resources Administration Commissioner Verna Eggleston. The growing crisis of workplace violence at HRA facilities, in which several union members have been seriously injured in recent months, topped the agenda.

"The clients who come to HRA centers need help, and we don't want them to be treated like criminals," said Ms. Roberts. Unfortunately, she said, clients are desperate as a result of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, and some take it out on members who work on the front lines in HRA.

DC 37 and local union representatives urged Ms. Eggleston to bring back agency peace officers to replace private security guards.

Ms. Eggleston acknowledged that workplace assaults are a serious problem and asked for 30 days to evaluate the union proposal. As a short-term measure, she said HRA would arrange for city police officers to include 18 high-risk HRA facilities on their regular patrols.

"We want clear protocols so when an incident happens, management makes an effort to ensure employees' safety," said Eddie Rodriguez, president of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549.

"Our goal is guaranteed safety for all the staff," said SSEU Local 371 President Charles Ensley.

Also participating at the meeting were local presidents Helen Greene, Health Services Employees Local 768; Gary Brown, Supervisors of Automotive Plant and Equipment Local 1062; Edward W. Hysyk, Electronic Data Processing Personnel Local 2627; Victor Emanuelson, Prevailing Rate Employees Local 1087; and union staff.

Some former HRA peace officers from Teamsters Local 237 were redeployed to a special fraud unit covered by Local 371. According to DC 37 Research and Negotiations Director Dennis Sullivan, DC 37, the Teamsters and the city's Office of Labor Relations will be meeting to discuss returning them to peace officer duties.

DC 37 and affected locals also plan to meet with OLR to review the Job Opportunity Specialist title series.