DC Social Workers Call For Action

"God is crying, mourning the tragedy of Banita Jacks' children, Banita Jacks herself and the social workers" said AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director George Johnson as a steady rain fell on more than 100 demonstrators outside the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) headquarters in Southwest Washington. Defying the chilly downpour and threats by supervisors, the members of AFSCME Local 2401 – which represents 400 CFSA workers – overflowed the steps and sidewalk, chanting and cheering as Johnson and other leaders excoriated DC Mayor Adrian Fenty for "scapegoating" social workers who struggle under "excessive caseloads." In a letter delivered to Mayor Fenty Friday, Johnson said "There is no 'simple button' to press to plug holes in the city's safety net for families and children." Johnson called on the Mayor to "establish a joint labor-management committee to examine caseload size and coverage" within the next two weeks, pledging to rally weekly until the Mayor acts. –report by Chris Garlock