DC Gov't Workers Say City Services Critically Understaffed

District government workers face critical staffing shortages and an increase in assaults and safety issues, say local leaders. AFGE Council 211 President Eric Bunn and AFGE 383 President Johnnie Walker will call on Mayor Adrian Fenty and the DC City Council to act quickly on AFGE's radio show "Inside Government" today at 10A on 1050 AM or online. Bunn and Walker say problems at their agencies have increased dramatically since Fenty took office "in part because of a lack of communication between the Mayor and labor unions."  They will also urge the mayor to reestablish ties with the unions and rely upon employee expertise as part of his overall crime-fighting initiative. Also scheduled to appear on today's show are Witold Skwierczynski, President of AFGE's National Council of Social Security Administration (SSA) Field Operations Locals, and Elise Bryant, Chairwoman of the Labor Heritage Foundation Board of Directors. Skwierczynski will address the current budget fight at SSA, and Bryant will discuss the upcoming Great Labor Arts Exchange taking place June 17-19.