State still targeting youth services
Union halts layoffs at OCFS

By DEBORAH A. MILES
Working with the staff and behind the scenes at the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the union has succeeded in saving jobs slated for layoff for 24 members who work in various juvenile placement facilities throughout PEF Regions 3 and 9.

The announcement of the layoffs — due to downsizing facilities — came in February. The union launched a media campaign with newspaper ads and a fax campaign to policymakers highlighting the services OCFS provides.

“The union was also supportive in working with staff who were in danger of being laid-off,” said Paula Hennessy, PEF chair of the joint labor-management committee at OCFS.

“PEF and OCFS activists worked with the members and put pressure behind the scenes to make sure people received job offers,” she said. “And I would like to credit PEF President Roger Benson with spearheading that effort.”

A temporary fix
Although most affected members were spared being laid-off, four PEF-represented positions were lost. The sentiment among most OCFS staff, according to Hennessy, is relief for this year, but they remain fearful of possible future layoffs and closings.

The governor’s Executive Budget proposal for the state fiscal year beginning April 1 would eliminate another 28 positions at OCFS central offices in Albany by March 31, 2005.
It is expected these positions will be eliminated without layoffs.

Facilities vs. community 
“We also expect there may be future closings based on management plans to use community resources, rather than placing kids in facilities,” Hennessy said. “We have no proof these community services can work on this juvenile justice population.

“These are kids who bombed out in the community. They bombed out in foster care. They’ve been in trouble with the law, and some of them are violent. Many are substance abusers, and most are special-education kids,” she said. “They need the type of placement our members in the facilities provide.”
Hennessy said expenses in the community will rise if these youths are forced to leave OCFS. And the real danger, she said, is lack of evidence these programs will work.

Communicator Homepage April 04

Inside This Issue
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PEF weighing its options
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Union halts layoffs at OCF
Judge backs nurses right to back pay
Member keeps lifesaving blood flowing
Deadline nears for OT meal allowance
PEF sending first heroes into national...
Labor community helps state workers
Grant walks the walk
Reg. 1 member running to retire
Candidates sought for E. Board
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