Local 371 President Anthony Wells testifies on unsafe facilities
Anthony Wells, president of Social Services and Employment Local 371, testifies about unsafe juvenile facilities. He says the union has no faith in local management and reminds the committee that these are secure facilities, not group homes or summer camps.
Ready?
First of all, thank you, Chair and other council people for calling us.
I want to thank the ACS Commissioner who is still in the room.
I want to thank her for doing that.
My name is Anthony Wallace.
I'm the President of Social Services and Employment Local 371.
We represent several titles in
juvenile facilities.
The most prominent one is the YDS, Youth Development Specialist.
I am going to be very brief because I want you to hear from these folks.
It's ironic that I started my city career at Sparford Juvenile Center as a caseworker many, many years ago.
Let me say this.
We have been trying to work with the agency
with this administration.
We have no faith in the local management of the facilities.
We don't believe they are honest with us.
We don't believe that they share information with us.
We don't think they even recognize us.
And so we thank you for your advocacy, and I heard you.
You are going to make sure
that
Young people are treated right, and we are there too.
But as you said to them, this is a crisis.
I've got to remind people, this is a secure facility.
This is not a group home.
This is not a summer camp.
This is a secure facility that is charged with the protection of those who are confined to their facilities.
Okay?
And having said that, my Vice President Robinson will go next.
Thank you very much.