News in Brief: April 24, 2014

Social Workers – Dorchester
Front-line social workers and investigators who are members of the SEIU local 509 continued their series of informational pickets this week over the worsening caseload crisis at the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Local delegations took to the streets on Wednesday in Dorchester to demand a reduction in what they say is rapidly increasing caseloads at DCF. The workers are claiming that the caseload crisis has worsened in recent months as new directives spike workloads to record highs. Department data shows that the Dorchester office has seen a 13.5% spike in cases amid stagnant staffing levels, leaving social workers and investigators with serious concerns over the department’s ability to keep children safe. The informational pickets are calling on concerned residents to contact their legislators and urge immediate action to reduce caseloads and institute critical reforms needed to keep at-risk kids safe.

Students for Justice in Palestine – Northeastern University
The Northeastern University Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is claiming this week that the school’s administration has reconsidered its decision to suspend the group until January next year. The group was recently suspended following what the administration claimed were violations of the school’s policies concerning protest. SJP claims to have received a letter from the vice president of the university, Laura Wankel, effectively stating the university’s agreement to abandon the suspension as long as SJP agrees to take certain mutually agreed steps. SJP is now claiming a victory for freedom of expression on campus.