Officers at the Youth Rehabilitation Center returned to work Tuesday after being out since May 20, according to the Department of Human Services.
The Office of Collective Bargaining filed for an injunction Friday to order 13 correction officers back to the job site after they either called in sick or and did not report to work. A Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday morning. The DHS announcement did not name which judge issued the order.
In its Tuesday announcement, the department said it believes the decision by the employees to not report to work was connected to a grievance filed April 24 by the Seafarers International Union against Human Services and the Bureau of Corrections because negotiated raises have not been granted since 2010. The department responded that the government has not approved salary increases for any unions for several years due to fiscal shortfalls.
Human Services Commissioner Christopher Finch objected to the actions of the officers.
“We understand the frustrations over fiscal limitations, but an action of this magnitude is not acceptable,” he said.
Finch commended the treatment, kitchen and education staff, correction officers and supervisors who worked during the staff shortage to maintain operations at the facility.
