Maryland and union leaders came together Saturday to sound the alarm on a staffing crisis.
The leaders said thousands of public service jobs need to be filled in the state.
“We are trying to fill that gap. There’s a crisis in public service right now. There’s a lot of vacancies. These are great jobs with great opportunities where people serve their communities,” said Patrick Moran, president of AFSCME Maryland Council 3.
More than 800,000 jobs in public service are open across the country. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and AFSCME leaders came together to do something about the vacancies in Maryland by hosting a job fair as part of AFSCME’s “Staff the Front Lines” bus tour. It’s a way for the union to partner with elected officials to recruit and retain essential workers.
“This is a way to get into public service, allow folks to provide a good life for them and their families. We want everyone to know that, especially our young people who may be (looking) for a job,” Scott said.
AFSCME is trying to find people to fill critical positions within city and state agencies. Workers said they’re overwhelmed due to a lack of staff.
“It is extremely stressful. My caseload is very high, so it takes me longer to get back to phone calls with my clients, and they’re also waiting longer for services,” said Cherrish Vick, a family services case worker at the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services.
They’re looking for everything from direct care workers to social workers to corrections officers and many other positions. Marylanders said the opportunity means everything.
“When you want more, you think about having more. It starts somewhere, and I think this is the next step,” said Devin Johnson, an attendee of the job fair.
Source : WBAL
