“We want Bloomberg to know we are frustrated,” said 72-yeor-old District Council 1707 Executive Director, Raglan George Jr.
George, speaking with four children surrounding him, told the packed crowd of Local 95 Head Start employees, Local 205 day care employees, and supporters that it was time for The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to give the union what it wants.
Both locals were together in protest against ACS, who has not given either union a contract in almost three years, and better healthcare for them and their children.
“[We are together] for unity. We can make a bigger difference together,” said Linda Gomez, 39-year old director of administration for DC 1707.
They have introduced a plan for better heathcare coverage to the ACS, which is posted on their website (www.dc1707.net), that they feel will keep health care costs low, even with child care centers staying open and providing better coverage.
In 2006 ACS tried to close 13 more centers because of, what they claim, is under-enrollment.
Suzy Bonny, a 27-year member of DC 1707 and Head Start, said she is concerned about parents not getting child care they need.
“Without child care, parents get up-tight. They need that three, four, six hours away from the children. Parents can’t get anything done when they are up-tight,” said Bonny, who has raised seven children.
George also felt parents who didn’t have child care would have to stay home and miss work, thus leading them to welfare.
Several other unions, SCIU and UAW, were also there to show solidarity. “It’s a good turnout, but we were expecting more,” said Vickie Littlejohn, 54-year-old DC1707 staff organizer, referring to the 70-80 protesters outside City Hall.
This was the second demonstration by the DC 1707 this year. According to George, “we will be out here everyday if we have to.”
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