As many of you may already know, the Department of Youth Services is in the process of creating and rolling out a new policy on ROOM CONFINEMENT. Your Vice President (Bob Amaral), is currently a member of the Policy Steering Committee, representing the Local. As a Groupworker III, with several years of experience, I can assure you, Bob is doing the right thing in representing us all, and making sure our interests/concerns are heard at this level.
On April 8, 2008 both VP Amaral and President Gilbert were invited to the training/roll out for managers held at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown. As stated earlier, the day was intended for Mangers, not Labor Relations/Union negotiations. Some uneducated(in Labor Relations) managers from DYS recently made comment to some members that the Union sat there silent and he did all the talking for staff...Pretty brave words BG, not very truthful though.. There is a process and a forum for the Union to speak their minds and concerns(and bargain if necessary) and a Management training is not appropriate.