The department's social-service workers had just won the right to collective bargaining, and a group of young idealists, Stern included, seized control of the local union.

Besides Mr. Stein, the commission's members included two judges, a prosecutor, social-service workers, educators and other experts.

But local economists and social-service workers are less confident.

But the social-service workers struggling to hold things together know the huge difference money can make.

In the 60's and 70's, the strikes that deeply affected New Yorkers were by teachers, social-service workers and public-transit workers - public employees.

Bronx preachers, singers, social-service workers, actors and artists have appeared on the station.

He was hospitalized, his legs badly ulcerated, while social-service workers helped find him the apartment he still has.

Some psychologists, social-service workers and city officials fear that the rise in begging is further hardening New Yorkers against their fellow citizens and eroding the quality of life.

(Addicts Shakur and Tim Roth want to kick their habit but are stymied by unhelpful social-service workers.)

The union representing social-service workers has protested conditions at the diagnostic centers.