Methodology

In February 1998, the Public Policy Department at AFSCME sent a survey to AFSCME affiliates representing professional child welfare workers in 17 states. Twenty-nine (29) surveys were returned from affiliates representing workers in 10 different states: Delaware; Hawaii; Illinois; Washington; New York City and 2 counties in upstate New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Minneapolis, Minnesota; a 4 county-area in Florida’s western panhandle (consisting of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties); 10 counties in Ohio; and 9 counties in Wisconsin. The child welfare system in 5 of the states represented in the survey is administered by the counties (Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin). In the other 5, the system is administered by the state (Delaware, Hawaii, Florida, Illinois and Washington).

The size of the bargaining units represented by the affiliates varies widely -- from a unit of 4 professional workers represented by AFSCME Local 3971, Council 8 in Athens, Ohio to a bargaining unit of roughly 4,200 professional workers represented by Local 371, Council 37 in New York City. Over all, 15 of the affiliates who responded to the survey represent less than 50 professional workers; 3 represent between 50 and 199 workers; 2 represent between 200 and 299 workers; and 8 represent 500 or more. The size of the bargaining unit represented by one Ohio affiliate is not known. Table 1 shows the number of professional child welfare workers represented by each AFSCME affiliate that responded to the survey.

Table 1

Number of Professional Child Welfare Workers Represented by
AFSCME Affiliates Responding to the Survey by State and County

 * Survey respondent did not provide information# AFSCME Council 31 estimates that roughly 60% of the workers in Illinois are stationed in Cook County (Chicago) and another 15% are based in the surrounding suburbs. In Washington, Council 28 estimates that roughly 65% of the workers are based in Seattle. In Delaware, Council 81 reports that approximately 30% of the workers are based in Wilmington, and another 25% in the surrounding suburbs. And in Florida, Local 2673, Council 79 estimates that roughly 45% of the workers are based in Escambia County (which contains Pennsicola) and another 30% are in Okaloosa (which contains the city of Fort Walton). It should be noted, however, that Escambia and Okaloosa Counties both cover an area which is approximately 55 miles long and 50 miles wide, and that workers cover both the urban and rural areas in these counties.

The child welfare workers represented by affiliates covering state-wide or multiple-county bargaining units are concentrated in urban areas. In Illinois, Council 31 estimates that roughly 60% of the workers are located in Cook County (Chicago) and another 15% in the surrounding suburbs. Council 28 in Washington estimates that roughly 65% of its workers are based in the Seattle area. In Delaware, Council 81 reports that approximately 30% of the workers in that state are based in Wilmington, and another 25% in the surrounding suburbs. And in Florida, Local 2673, Council 79 estimates that roughly 45% of the workers are based in Escambia County (which contains Pennsacola) and another 30% are in Okaloosa (which contains the city of Fort Walton). It should be noted, however, that Escambia and Okaloosa Counties both cover an area which is approximately 55 miles long and 50 miles wide, and that workers cover both the urban and rural areas in these counties. The percentage of child welfare workers in Hawaii who are located in urban areas is not known.

The survey was not completed by front-line workers themselves and does not represent a rigorous scientific analysis. Rather, the survey was filled out by union representatives or staff in consultation with front-line workers. It paints a clear picture of who AFSCME's child welfare workers are and the systemic problems they face. It also highlights some of the creative solutions pursued by AFSCME affiliates.