Department of Juvenile Services Annual Staffing Meeting 2019: Management Denying the Department has a Staffing Problem

Yesterday, July 25th, 2019 AFSCME Maryland met with upper management in the Department of Juvenile Services for the Annual Staffing Meeting required by our union contract to discuss staffing levels in each agency. AFSCME Maryland President Patrick Moran with AFSCME Local 3167 President Denise Henderson and Local 3167 Members Jamaal Craddock (BCJJC), Jeremy Jeffers (Victor Cullen Center), Daniel Broadwater (Meadow Mountain), Lakesha Brown (Transportation), Roshell Aydlett (Hickey School) and Cynthia Thomas (Waxter Children’s Center) represented union members from all across the state.

Despite this meeting occurring annually and being scheduled for over 3 months, Secretary Sam Abed did not attend. His team had no clear answers for AFSCME Maryland members and claimed there were only 38 vacancies within the agency.

When DJS facilities do not have enough staff to safely conduct programming, the youth in Maryland are being denied rehabilitation services which are critical to their successful return to the community. In multiple facilities across the State, DJS employees are required to work double shifts (16 hours straight) decreasing their effectiveness on the job and risking the safety of youth and their fellow brothers and sisters.

Join us on August 7th at BCJJC, 300 N. Gay St, Baltimore MD 21202 from 5-7 pm to stand up for a better Maryland! 

Now is the time for us to stand together. We are fighting for safe staffing levels to make sure the youth in our care are given the best environment they can to transition back to their homes. If Secretary Abed and DJS cannot acknowledge the staffing shortages, AFSMCE Local 3167 will continue to fight on behalf of youth for a real plan to recruit and retain quality staff and protect the quality of our services.

Join us on August 7th at BCJJC, 300 N. Gay St, Baltimore MD 21202 from 5-7 pm to stand up for a better Maryland! 

Stay tuned and Like and Follow our AFSCME Maryland on Facebook for more updates!

Sign up for email updates from AFSCME Maryland!