Workshop In Turmoil, No Solution Found Yet

More than 40 gathered April 16 at Current River Sheltered Workshop, chief among them a large number of workers who are still trying to understand the reasons for the shut-down and want to know whether or not they are going to lose their manager, Jessica Wilkerson.

The employees have being told by all the powers that be that everyone is “doing everything possible to get the workshop open again, as soon as possible.”

However, as he opened the meeting of the Productive Living Board of Ripley County Tuesday night Chairman Mike Fleetwood warned, reopening “could take days, weeks...or even months.”

The statement brought a groan from the workers, whose jobs are part (or all) of their livelihood, their routine, and for many, their source of pride and achievement.

More importantly they were hoping for assurance that things will get back to the way they were: their “work family” is being torn apart and (for them) the head of that “family” is Jessica Wilkerson.

The concerned crowd was also made up of guardians and families of the workers, sheltered workshop board members and staff and concerned supporters hopeful of a resolution.

One of the parents was upset because the first he knew of the closing was when it was posted on Facebook. Charles Abbott, the CRSW board chairman said that was because he did not have phone numbers for the families.

Wilkerson was also part of those assembled, hoping for answers. She wanted to know two things: of what she is being accused, and who will be doing the investigation?

Questions about who was the accusor what alleged offenses started this whole thing may never be answered, because the identity of that person and details about the allegations are protected under privacy laws.

Considering the “gag order” the only comment board members said they could make regarding the allegations is, there is no reason to suspect that the wellbeing or safety of any workshop employee was or has been compromised.

Abbott said at this juncture the board plans to do its own “internal” investigation, rather than bring in an independent agency or auditor.

He maintained that they have, up until now and moving forward in the process, followed and will continue to follow all applicable laws and protocols.

Abbott enlisted the help and advice of Dan Gier, the director of sheltered workshops with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Gier was present at the meeting in an advisory capacity.

Early into the meeting the PL board went into executive session, Fleetwood having explained at the onset that discussions would take place behind closed doors, because the issue to be talked about “involves employee disciplinary actions” (which is allowed by the Missouri Sunshine Laws).

Members of the CRSW board were invited to take part in those discussions. However, Abbott stated he would not do so without Gier being present. After some time Fleetwood came out and asked for both Abbott and Gier to join the session, and they did.

Several of the CRSW board did not take part in the discussions, however.

Executive session lasted roughly an hour, after which the open meeting resumed.

Fleetwood informed workers that although a resolution and an agreement to reopen had not been achieved, “You will be paid for the hours you have already worked. The workshop does not have the money to meet this next payroll, but we will release $10,000 to cover wages,” said Fleetwood.

He said his board will meet again in two weeks to “see where we are,” before any more money will be released.

Fleetwood also suggested that while the workshop is shut down, workers should file for unemployment benefits.

In addition, Fleetwood said DESE will release some emergency funding to compensate employees for rest of this week.

Abbott then also addressed the group, stating that his board will reach out to other workshops to try and find someone who is qualified (and willing) to come and help out temporarily in a managerial capacity.

In that case, the workshop could possibly re-open before the investigation is complete.

Over the course of the meeting both Fleetwood and Abbott responded to questions asked about board membership. There were those who wanted to know how someone becomes a member, and what the process is for determining whether a member continues to serve.

Abbott concluded his remarks by stating that the CRSW board meetings are open to the public. He said the board next will meet at 6 p.m., April 29.

During an open forum part of the meeting, several accepted an invitation to speak out on Wilkerson’s behalf. These were mostly staff and family members of workers, who recounted incidents where Wilkerson has made huge sacrifices for others, often donating her personal time, energy and resources to serve the needs of the workshop, its employees, people in need, and homeless.

One co-worker pointed out that as a manager, Wilkerson has worked hard to improve the workshop, by recruiting new jobs and opportunites for workers which give them skills and increase their confidence by showing them their potential.

“Jessica has brought the workshop to an amazing place,” she said.

No family is perfect. and in this one, somewhere along the line, trust has been broken.

The outcome now hinges on integrity...that of the person who made the allegations, the manager and the investigators.

Innocent of any wrongdoing is the differently-abled workers who trusted unconditionally.