Social Workers’ Protest Short of Expectations

A protest by children’s social workers against their high caseloads fell short of expectations Tuesday, when only about half the expected number of workers confronted the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors with their complaints.

Workers from Service Employees International Union Local 535 asked the supervisors to declare a “state of emergency” and remove Peter Digre, head of the county Department of Children and Family Services, whom they blamed for the high caseload and additional work requirements.

But although union organizers had hoped 400 protesters would attend the meeting, only about 180 showed up. The union officials said more workers did not come to the protest because some feared retaliation by management and others were busy completing month-end visits with children.