Public Employee Press

Union meets with ACS commissioner

The Administration for Children’s Services has an immense and difficult mission: protecting children from abuse and neglect, and providing services to help families raise children in safe, permanent homes, and administering adoption, foster care, child care and Head Start programs.

At any one time, statistical reports are being issued on transfers, re-entries, re-abuse, placements, and other measures that attempt to keep track of the thousands of children and families receiving services. The agency’s clerical workers are a vital component, yet many of them believe management is overlooking their value and their needs in the current drive to upgrade service delivery.

On May 11, a task force of union leaders and staff and members of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 at ACS met with DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts to share their concerns. “You are the ones who can open the door,” stressed Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez.

Participants cited serious problems including staff shortages and the lack of training, computers and career advancement. Without written procedures, several members said they felt that they were operating in a vacuum.

“When I met with the members, I could really sense their frustration,” said Roberts.

She quickly took action, setting up a meeting with ACS Commissioner John B. Mattingly. At the May 16 session, she led a union group that included Rodriguez and HRA/ACS Chapter Chair Alvin Williams, Clerical Division Director Ronnie Harris, Assistant Director Eddie Gates and others. “This meeting was a long time coming, but it was very positive,” said Rodriguez.

“We pressed Commissioner Mattingly for answers to issues the union has raised repeatedly with the ACS management. This meeting was a step in the right direction,” Roberts said.

Mattingly listened attentively, responded quickly to some of the union’s concerns and said he would have further responses at a meeting to be scheduled in July.

“Any issues that can’t be resolved at this level will go to the city’s Office of Labor Relations,” Roberts said.

“The meeting was a breath of fresh air,” observed Gates. “ACS has begun to listen and at least they have begun the process of treating us as part of the team.”