MontCo Housing Opportunities Commission Workers Protest Layoffs

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Workers at Montgomery County’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) staged a protest yesterday afternoon after 10 HOC employees were laid off. The layoffs include seven housing inspectors and one security coordinator. The protest by 50 workers -- including HOC inspectors, file clerks and a security coordinator -- took place at a meeting of the HOC Commissioners in Kensington, MD. "Housing inspectors are key to completing the work of the HOC," said Carlos Mellott, field representative for UFCW Local 1994, the union representing HOC employees.  "They inspect properties to ensure that they're adequately maintained and safe for residents. They have developed strong relationships with landlords and residents in the area. Not only is this a loss for HOC, it's an erosion of the quality of housing and services provided to Montgomery County's low income families." HOC Executive Director Stacy Spann says the work will be  subcontracted, and Local 1994 is concerned he’ll continue to lay off and outsource more of HOC's work. - photo by Carlos Mellott