Washington Workers and Supporters Rally to Save People With Disabilities
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This cross-post from AFSCME highlights the protest by members of AFSCME Local 573 in Washington State against Gov. Chris Gregoire’s (D) plan to close two residential facilities to help balance the state budget.
Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees (AFSCME) Local 573, Council 28, the City Council of Medical Lake and community supporters are protesting the planned closure of Lakeland Village, a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities. Council 28 and others say the state did not take into account the cost of relocating most of the patients to state-run group homes or privately supported living facilities.
The shutdown of Lakeland Village is part of the governor’s Office of Financial Management’s plan to close down all of the state’s intermediate care facilities by 2018.
“This isn’t about saving money,” said Council 28 President Carol Dotlich, who joined the picket at the governor’s Spokane office Oct. 19.
It’s about letting for-pay corporations into the state and making some money off our disabled citizens.
