Barry Demanding Answers on Payroll Pandemonium

District youth are getting a tough lesson about the working world, thanks to the District government. Hundreds of young workers in the city's summer jobs program are frustrated because they have been underpaid, and worst, not paid at all. (Some have actually been overpaid, too, and that, of course, is a teachable moment about honesty.)

Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) has been leading the charge against the District's Department of Employment Services and demanding that the problem be repaired immediately. Barry has called for an audit of the program and plans to hold a news conference this afternoon to demand government action. Barry said his office was swamped with calls from parents and young workers last Friday when the payroll pandemonium broke out.

Barry, who instituted the summer jobs program when he was in the first of his four mayoral terms, said he will have some of this summer's workers with him this afternoon at his news conference.

City officials have said they are working overtime to make sure that everyone is paid.