AFSCME Alternatives to Social Services Privatization

AFSCME Alternatives to Social Services Privatization

As the needs of low-income and working families change, public service delivery systems must change as well. That is why AFSCME and its members cooperate with state and local government employers to implement innovations in the way public agencies do business.

Public agencies and unions are working together to improve both the quality of public services and employees' work lives, using labor/management partnerships. When employees and unions are viewed as resources and partners, rather than impediments or costs to be cut, both sides can make the long-term commitment needed to provide the best value to the taxpayer.

The following are examples of AFSCME members working with management to improve service quality and working conditions.

State of Ohio and Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA)/ AFSCME Local 11

The Quality Services through Partnership (QStP) program has solved problems since 1993.

In 1993, Ohio launched its Quality Services through Partnership initiative, to improve the delivery of public services through labor/management cooperation. QStP provides a rigorous problem-solving framework, which individual teams use to identify needed improvements and develop innovations.

A team in the Bureau of Workers' Compensation improved the timely return of injured workers to the job. Most injured workers returned to work on a Monday, regardless of when they were ready to work. Now, injured workers return on the first day they no longer have a medical restriction preventing that. It was projected that the reduction in lost work days saved over $975,000 the first year and could ultimately save over $6 million annually to employees and/or the Bureau of Workers' Compensation when fully implemented.

Ohio's QStP initiative produced cumulative state government savings of more than $350 million in its first 10 years of operation.

Ohio's quality initiative is driven by a labor-management group, the Ohio Quality Network, which meets monthly to discuss best practices around the state and plan quality events.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio: Department of Children and Family Services and AFSCME Local 1746 (Council 8)

Collaborative efforts have improved outcomes and dramatically reduced social worker turnover.

The purpose of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services is to assure that children at risk of abuse or neglect are protected and nurtured within a family and with the support of the community. The department handles the largest of its kind in Ohio, 30 percent of the state's total number of children in government custody. The department historically has suffered from bad press and high turnover of staff. It also has a mixed history of labor relations.

In 2000, the department director and local union president were determined to improve the department's public image, service quality and working conditions. They were successful. Two important accomplishments were deploying highly experienced and skilled workers to answer the hotline — a crucial contact point between the public and the department — and reducing turnover among social workers. Turnover had been nearly 30 percent but was cut to under 10 percent. The child death rate has been cut in half. Community stakeholders have been engaged in a variety of ways through nine neighborhood advisory boards. New ties have also been cultivated with the police force, which now collaborates more closely with the department.

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