by Robert Schachter, DSW.
(September 2000)

Social work practice and the workplace were the themes of an exciting NASW conference. This event was unique because it brought together, for the first time, four major labor unions that represent social workers, NASW, and the schools of social work.

This partnership resulted in a high turnout; over 250 social workers attended. The collaboration between unions, NASW, and the educational community also gave renewed vigor to the belief that the time has come for social workers to assert some control over our work.

What is the meaning of work? A distinguished plenary panel from various perspectives addressed this question and discussed working conditions, professionalism, and the social forces that shape social work practice.

Dr. Francis Fox Piven, a leader in the social work profession and author of the classic "Regulating the Poor", characterized social work as a profession under siege. Social workers have struggled with a dilemma throughout the history of the profession, said Dr. Piven. "We have dual constituencies, our clients and our benefactors who fund our programs. These dual constituencies do not share the same interests."

Dr. Piven said that social workers are caught in a bind. On the one hand, we have our mission and its commitment to the poor and vulnerable. On the other hand, we depend on private and public funding for our paychecks. Those who fund our programs do not necessarily share our mission and do not have our clients' interests at heart. A clear example of this, Dr. Piven reminded the audience, was the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. Dr. Piven called attention to the conservative assault on social welfare programs during the 1980s, a period in which social services were whittled away, social work positions were cut, and social workers were treated with decreased respect. During this era, there was also an attack on labor and a restructuring of the workforce that lowered wages and heightened insecurity among workers.

"We cannot solve these problems alone, said Dr. Piven. "Only by joining forces with the people that we serve can we resolve our dilemmas."

Professor Daniel Walkowitz, a labor historian and author of "Working with Class: Social Workers and the Politics of Middle Class Identity", suggested that issues regarding conflicts about class membership underlie social workers' ambivalence about joining social movements or organizing in unions. "As white collar workers, social workers have embraced a middle class identity. Yet most social workers are dependent wage laborers and can be hired or fired at will," said Dr. Walkowitz. He noted that social workers strive to differentiate themselves from their clients, who are the underclass, and from the founders of the profession, who were affluent volunteers, by staking out a professional identity.

Dr. Walkowitz described the Post World War ll period as an era that ushered in the rise of professionalism under the banner of the casework model, bringing with it the development of training institutions, scholarly journals, and a professional association.

For social workers, a professional identity replaced their historic commitment to the poor. In its place emerged a trend toward offering discount therapy to the middle class. Within agencies, white men became administrators who directed the work of women. The challenge of the new millennium", stated Dr. Walkowitz, "is for professional associations to join forces with labor unions to forge an agenda which addresses not only job security but also the delivery of social services."

Brenda Stokely, a front line social worker and President of Local 215 of 1707, gave a passionate presentation about the role of unions in the workplace. Ms. Stokely emphasized the importance of union organizing that cuts across all job titles. "Many social workers", Ms. Stokely said, "tend to separate themselves from blue-collar workers. They don't understand why they need a union. The rude awakening comes when something happens to them at work and they have to file a grievance." Calling attention to the restructuring of the health care field, a trend toward downsizing social services, and replacing social workers with pre-professional workers, Ms. Stokely said, "All of us are one paycheck away from being unemployed but people lag behind in their understanding because they are so busy being professionals."

Discussing the workplace, Ms. Stokely said, "We have caseloads that no one can manage. Policies are made with no input from the social workers that carry them out. Unions must fight, not only for salaries and health benefits, but also for a voice in the workplace. A voice in how we manage the work, in health and safety issues. Collective bargaining allows us to have more power in the workplace."

Dr. Robert Schachter, Executive Director of the NYC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said that the only way that the National Association of Social Workers can be a healthy and vibrant organization is to be relevant and responsive to the concerns and needs of social workers. A serious problem for the social work profession, said Dr. Schachter, is that social workers have not been able to clearly articulate the value of social work practice to elected officials and policy makers. Legislators often don't understand what we do or why education is important to practice social work. "It is essential that we all become storytellers. NASW needs to take your stories and share them with administrators and policy makers to demonstrate the needs of our clients and the value of social work," he said. Dr. Schachter used the metaphor of a three-legged stool to describe the social work profession. The first leg is the practitioner, the second leg is education, and the third leg is the organization. All three pieces are essential to a sturdy and stable stool. The workplace is full of bright and extraordinary people. Schools and organizations have to begin to listen to them.

"How do we get them to listen?" asked Dr. Schachter. "The answer is through NASW and through unions. We represent you and can give you voice." Dr. Thomas Meenaghan, Dean of the NYU School of Social Work and Chair of the NY State Dean's Association, provided a critique of the educational institutions. "Social work education teaches two major theoretical orientations: systems theory and life cycle theory. Unfortunately, these theories do not lend themselves to a full appreciation of structure and social change. Social work education needs to include political science, economics, and sociology in order to be relevant."

Assembly Member Roger Green, a long time supporter of social work and advocate for scholarship money for child welfare workers, emphasized the importance of making coalitions with organized labor. "Without labor, you are powerless. With labor, you can make things happen."

Conference convener and moderator, Dr. Samuel Rosenberg, professor of social work at Ramapo College, provided the context for the conference. He said, "The reality that we face at the workplace affects every aspect of our lives. It affects our practice, how we feel about ourselves, our family relationships. We have to begin to forge a common path and begin to change what affects us negatively. We have the vehicles for change: NASW, labor unions, and the schools. With this coalition, we can begin to work together to addresses critical problems at the workplace." Confrontation with Reality was cosponsored by NASW, 1199-SEIU, UFT, PEF, DC 1707, and the NY State Dean's Association.