SUPERINTENDENT REQUEST MEETING WITH EMPLOYEES AND IS TOLD NO

Well as granddaddy use to say the shit has hit the fan. Youth Services Officers reported to DCF Plantation blog that Connecticut Juvenile Training School Superintendent William Rosenbeck requested a meeting with YSOs to hear about their complaints. A Union Steward talked to YSOs to ascertain if they desired dialogue with the superintendent. The YSOs decided not to engage in fruitless discussion with tone deaf management. In order to understand why Rosenbeck asked for a meeting now with employees, a little background information is needed. Several weeks ago YSOs signed a petition / letter about issues that were lowering morale at the CJTS plantation and sent it to state officials, including Department of Children and Families Commissioner Joette Katz. Now Katz is scheduled to meet with CJTS workers to discuss their concerns. From what is being said the YSOs do not want Rosenbeck or any of his Key Stone Cops staff in attendance at the upcoming meeting with Katz. This is the primary reason Rosenbeck wants to meet with staff, in order to head off any momentum or unrest that might reflect badly on him. Well as granddaddy use to say the shit has hit the fan.

When YSOs reached out to CJTS administrators in the past they received replies like “ do your job, you get hazardous duty pay and can retire after 20 years… do your job.” In addition to curt management retorts to YSOs pleas, campaigns of reprisals were launched under the guise of policy and procedure. YSOs that worked on their Units but did not move for 15 minutes were considered sleeping then disciplined. A repressive crack down was implemented on YSOs using policy and procedure as cover for workplace bullying of YSOs; but now employees have decided to stand up to management and fight for their human dignity. The handwriting is on the wall for CJTS leadership, change is coming whether it is wanted or not. However this time the change will not be borne on the backs of YSOs, it is time for Rosenbeck et al. ( and others ) to face the music.

In the words of Sam Cooke “ a change is gonna come oh yes it will.”