On June 24, 2014 Youth Services Officers et al. met with Department of Children and Families Commissioner Joette Katz at Connecticut Juvenile Training School. From what is reported to this blog a number of things were discussed during the get together. The meeting began when a Union Steward offered introductory remarks. Yet before any front line staff spoke a member of administrative staff offered comments. What amazes some people is why YSOs had to wait for an open part of the meeting to offer their perspective on why a signed petition / letter of grievances were presented to Katz in the first place. Just to let readers know, YSOs were not originally slated to speak.
Sources report how people raised two issues that were not addressed fully or ignored. A female YSO stood up and said to Katz “how can you expect us to do our jobs when we have co-workers that are not here. We need those two back and working. Marcos Martinez and Cornell Lewis have been out due to disciplinary action.” Katz replied “we are seeking to resolve these matters quickly as possible.” For those of you that might not know the story, both YSOs mentioned above are out of work due to disciplinary actions (almost two years). Cornell is the target of DCF workplace bullying and has been singled out for speaking against DCF structural racism. Martinez worked with Cornell the day an incident involving youth occurred and therefore got caught in a web of racist retaliation aimed at Cornell. DCF is not seeking to “resolve matters as quickly as possible” [with respect to Martinez and Cornell] the game plan is to punish Cornell for not staying in his place. A larger issue should revolve around how DCF / CJTS plantations consistently target men of color for harsher disciplinary measures. Well at least the female YSO broached the subject.
Then another female YSO talked about how double standards exist at CJTS depending on ethnicity and race. It was said to Katz “there are double standards existing at CJTS. Men of color are disciplined more severely than white employees. Why it is a white employee can hit a resident then not be fired? Yet two employees of color are out work for a lesser infraction.” Sources wishing to remain anonymous report Katz et al. did not answer the question directly, then moved on to another topic [does not sound like a receptive leader to me]. For the next ninety minutes others questions were aimed at DCF leaders but none had significance like the two above. Those two female YSOs wanted to broach subjects on the minds of co-workers only to be given verbal tap dancing lessons and a smile.
In conclusion it must be stated that YSOs are making strides in self expression before their oppressors. Sadly however, those doing the listening only pick and chose what to address.
Comments can be made at dcfplantation@gmail.com
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