Turtle farm staff protest ‘toxic’ workplace

| 09/04/2021 | 108 Comments
  • Cayman News Service
  • Cayman News Service

(CNS): A significant number of staff members from the Cayman Turtle Centre (aka the turtle farm) went on strike Friday morning and organised a protest outside the controversial attraction. Current CTC workers as well as former staff members who have been driven out of their jobs said the action was a result of an accumulation of grievances relating to what many described to CNS as a “toxic and bullying” environment that comes directly from the top. They said that they are subjected to abusive language and behaviour, and that their genuine concerns over working conditions and reduced salaries have been dismissed by the leadership.

These issue were compounded when they learned from the Public Accounts Committee hearing that the management team had given themselves two pay rises.

The team said Friday that they want the board, the CEO and other senior managers to all be replaced and to reset the situation because most of the workers in every department have lost faith in the management team. They said they were prepared to keep protesting outside the CTC until that happens.

Check back to CNS on Monday for the full story.


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Category: Jobs, Local News

Comments (108)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Did the Compass include this story in their paper? I have not seen it. If they did not, why not? Political reasons?

  2. jay says:

    sooooooo release me and lettt meeee love again…….

  3. Anonymous says:

    You might not like this but in my opinion, I am glad they are being bullied. As an expat, Caymanians have bullied me in almost every job I have had here.
    How do you like that now? Bullying is no fun.
    Dah wah ya get!

    • Anonymous says:

      How come you moving around so much? That’s probably why you were bullied. Work permit holders should not be job hoppin!
      Why should you have equall opportunity as a Caymanian?
      Only Caymanian should be able move from job to job and looking a better opportunities!! Remember CAYMANIAN are their country.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Yup and the country is waking up to INFLATION. That money that they paying you civil servants needs to be 17% higher just like what the C levels gave themselves. They understand what a gwan.

  5. Terry pin says:

    Turtley disgusting.i

  6. Anonymous says:

    Easy solution shut the whole thing down.

  7. Anonymous says:

    I saw Rolstan Anglin there, sculling around. He is a part of the bigger problem in Cayman today. If he is elected, it will be more of the same. He needs to stay where he is now, on the outside looking in.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Shut it down and then what? It could be such a wonderful place for an outing especially on Sundays. It just needs good management! Such a shame. We have so many places that are under utilized. Pedro, Botanical Park, Turtle Farm, etc because none of them have the right and creative management to attract the public.

  9. BeaumontZodecloun says:

    If the staff at the Turtle Farm are being bullied, I want to know about it. If they are being bullied, I want to stand for them, and require those above them who are bullying them to be accountable.

    I don’t believe that any staff at the Turtle Farm made this up for the lulz or facebook drama. I think they stuck their necks out because there is a real and measurable problem, and I don’t want them to have to bear the weight of that problem any more.

    I want an investigation, and I want the staff at the Turtle Farm to feel safe.

    • Anonymous says:

      All fair. And IF their complaints are unfounded, do you agree they should all be fired? – just as, IF their complaints are founded, responsible managers should be fired?

    • Anonymous says:

      Have you ever thought that they might be bullied because they don’t show up for work on time and are not doing their jobs properly?

      I want the staff to show up on time and do their jobs.

      • Anonymous says:

        You’re a real special kind. It is over bullying and work hours. They actually want to work more.

      • Anonymous says:

        6:45 People would show up and do their jobs properly if they have a healthy work environment to show up to. Nothing kills morale more than a negative work environment and toxic senior staff/management. Your business is only as successful as its employees are. Turtle Farm’s employees are reaching out for change.

      • Anonymous says:

        You can have fair disciplinary proceedings if that is the case without resorting to bullying. An independent investigation seems a reasonable recourse to verify the particulars of this matter and recommend a just and appropriate resolution (one way or the other).

  10. Anonymous says:

    I don’t see a thing wrong with people protesting without violence. As a matter of fact, the late Ormond Panton once said people in other countries would protest for way less than Caymanians; he could not understand why we just tolerated unfairness.

    • Anonymous says:

      Another public service entity run by a private sector board and a former private sector CEO.

      The private sector board system is not working.

      Offreg
      Turtle center
      Port authority
      Civil aviation authority
      Cayman airways
      MACI

      Shut these SAGC’S down and bring them under the civil service.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Insubordination!

  12. Anonymous says:

    I’ve only gone there to enjoy the pool once or twice.
    But, “Expat” is more a state of mind than a nationality.
    Many great people from other countries love Cayman, but vice versa also.
    The CTC Board is of a demented foreign mentality for sure.
    Many non locals and visitors do appreciate the balance and benefits of combining farming and tourism.
    Shame on the slush funds and mismanagement legacy though. Best to merge it with TAB, and have visitors pay a blanket tourism fee which includes admission to the 3 government facilities.
    You’re welcome!

  13. Finally! says:

    Well done! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
    It’s about time we Caymanians grow a pair and start protesting peacefully. If we had done this back in 2009, when getting a job became such a challenge, maybe unemployment would not stand at 8% today.

  14. Big Poppa says:

    About time someone did something! Congratulations to the workers for taking action. Next, shut down the whole damn island and demand true change everywhere.

  15. Anonymous says:

    You can tell they are protesting as they are at the office and awake during regular hours. Turtle farm is really just a social program like NICE.

    • Anonymous says:

      Social program? Nah! It was just another Get Rich Quick Club for friends of high up friends in government. No one knows where all that money has gone!

    • Anonymous says:

      They are not the only ones goofing off, checkout the other attractions sitting on their asses ALL DAY

  16. Anonymous says:

    5:21pm you are going to compare a horrible institution like slavery to eating a turtle steak or soup? How dear you!

    The two cannot be compared. Unless you are one of those who thing an animal should be valued over a human life.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Of all the poorly run CIG Departments and SAGC’s, none of their ineptitude in management has generated physical staff protests! CTC must be the real bottom of the barrel!!

    Disgusting!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Staff at some the other SAGC are Afraid to speak out , been told not because you a contract you can be fired, this warning coming from Status holder

    • Anonymous says:

      You forgot another SAGC the National Museum what a waste of public funds. aAnother toxic environment and so unprofessional.

  18. anon says:

    Release all the turtles and release all the staff.

  19. Anonymous says:

    And if elected, this will be the last time that you see Rolston Anglin at the Turtle Farm!

  20. Elvis says:

    Any everyone is actually surprised?
    Welcome to cayman. Keep the poor hard workers down and give yourselves massive quiet raise why dont every department in cayman lol.

  21. Anonymous says:

    BREAKING NEWS: PEOPLE ON WELFARE COMPLAIN ABOUT HAVING TO WORK TO EARN IT WHILST THOSE AT THE TOP STEAL A LIVING.

    Sums up the turtle farm pretty well. Had a bloody band playing during a weekday a while ago. Zero visitors.

    Close it and just give them the dole money instead. Then sack of the overpaid, under qualified leadership team.

    • Anonymous says:

      No one is complaining about having to work for their earnings. They are simply asking for respect and fair treatment, which every human being is entitled to.

      • Anonymous says:

        2:06 its mind blowing that anyone would dislike this comment. Its like people still live in that slave driver mentality. I completely agree with your comment, everyone is entitled to respect and fair treatment. It is what helps to create a healthy work environment!

    • Anonymous says:

      Fair enough. Start with the CEO, whose role is clearly the least important.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Close the place down. It’s an embarrassment and should not be allowed to continue drawing money from the public purse.

    • Anonymous says:

      It should have been shut down ten years ago! It has been a loser from the beginning. The management got millions of dollars from the government, which has never been snow white in misappropriating money, and millions of dollars seem to have disappeared yearly. Why has our government never done anything about it? Could it be that all the bigshots there were dishonest? Is a pork chop greasy?

    • Anonymous says:

      Government should have stopped wasting money on that place donkey years ago.

  23. Seawood says:

    I enjoyed visiting the “Turtle Farm” with my wife and young daughter years ago.

    I have also enjoyed a delicious turtle steak at the Cracked Conch ( don’t know if they still serve it ).

    Once enjoyed a nice bowl of turtle stew on the Public Beach.

    My philosophy is that you learn so much culture when you eat the local food. Has always proved correct.

    I admit when dancing at 60’ with a Hawkbill that I am in awe by their grace and ability…but hey do taste good.

    • Anonymous says:

      You should be ashamed of yourself. A country’s ‘culture’ and history may not always be something to be celebrated. The US has a history of slavery. That might have been acceptable once, doesn’t mean it is today.

      • Big Poppa says:

        You must be some sort of special idjit that the village has purposefully sent away. “Hey idjit, I hear there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Why don’t you go and bring it back? Don’t come back til you find it now!” Your poor, poor wife/husband!

        • Anonymous says:

          Well I once found a pot of white gold floating under the end of a rainbow while deep sea fishing.

    • Anonymous says:

      The basis of our great culture is turtle stew.

    • Landwood says:

      IMO, Seawood is lacking in gray matter.

      • Anonymous says:

        Hawksbills are not farmed it is the green sea turtle. Turtles are critically endangered species and no-one should be eating them if they want anyone else to see them ever again outside of a picture or painting until the populations have recovered significantly and are removed from the brink of extinction.

  24. Anonymous says:

    The management team all need to go. The top one in particular. I am quite sure poor management of a private sector entity did not mean great management at a public sector entity. As the saying goes, “u all must go.”

  25. Anonymous says:

    You believe what you believe without knowing all the facts.

    • Anonymous says:

      There are plenty of facts that have been made public the last couple of months. Fact.

    • Say it like it is says:

      10.40am I have not seen any facts about all these suspended employees, 3 years or more after they were suspended.

  26. Anonymous says:

    The entire fiasco at CTC (or whatever it’s called this week), especially the Report and recommendations from the PAC, should have generated action from Government LONG AGO! It has surpassed the Board’s inattention and should now be firmly in the hands of the relevant Chief officer for action.

    But NOTHING! Any surprises?

    CEO and COO, Board Chairman and Chief Officer ALL need to go!!

    • Anonymous says:

      There are other Chief Officers oppressing their staff and they have full support from the DG who gave himself and his Chief Officers big pay increases. They are greedy bullies and care nothing for their Civil Servants! If Franz did this already in the Civil Service then the SAGCs will feel they too can do the same. POOR LEADERSHIP!

  27. Anonymous says:

    True story: A few years ago, when I had visitors from overseas, I took them to the CTC, which at the time was called Cayman Wildlife Encounter or some such nonsense. We brought our swimsuits so we could take a dip in the pool. There was supposed to be a lifeguard on duty, but even though there were small children in the pool, he was nowhere to be found. I got up to use the washroom and on the way, I found the Caymanian lifeguard – he was in a bush smoking weed! This place is a national disgrace.

    • Anonymous says:

      dream job

      • Anonymous says:

        Stupid question but here goes: Have you ever wondered how many Caymanian CEO’s in Jam. then how Jam’s that come here get good jobs and then jump up the ladder to CEO’s positions. Many times stepping on people on their way up. Here is and old adage “careful who you step on your accent never know who will have to break your fall on the way down”.

        Many of them don’t favour us they tolerate us. Only here for a good life, otherwise they won’t be here.

    • Anonymous says:

      If it is so true, then verify your identity and the parties involved. Shouldn’t be that hard since lifeguards are supposed to be wearing nametags. Also, verify the method used to determine the person was Caymanian, and how do you know what “weed” smells like.

    • Anonymous says:

      We saw a woman drowning there (over by the grotto) and her friends were about to put themselves in danger to try to save her……lifeguards heard/saw nothing until we YELLED repeatedly at them!

    • Anonymous says:

      You could always keep an eye on your own children. Amazing right?

      • Anonymous says:

        I love this comment. It’s so typical here that when you pay to go to an establishment that employs someone to do a job it’s somehow looked as something you should be doing as the paying customer instead. Mind boggling.

        • Anonymous says:

          Having been a lifeguard (both at a beach and at an amusement park), I will note that the same parents who believe the lifeguard’s job extends to policing their children’s behavior will also be the first to protest if their kids are asked to leave the premises for repeatedly breaking the rules or acting in an unsafe manner. There’s probably a happy balance where the lifeguard, you know, maintains watch to engage in life-saving actions if needed and parents attempt to keep their kids from behaving poorly in a public facility.

  28. Anonymous says:

    And if you must indulge a need to eat reptile meat try some green iguana. No shortage of that.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Nepotism is seen everywhere in the world but as a small island are you really telling me that we can’t hire the best of the best to give these cushy job titles and salaries to? as a young Caymanian I’m utterly embarrassed by the poor leadership shown in almost every sector of government. no wonder most Caymanians with ambition avoid the public sector.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Please can we close down this turtle abattoir! Convert it into a world-class turtle conservation and educational center. Add real waterpark attractions for locals and tourists. Move into the 21st century. Teach young Caymanians that it is not cool to eat endangered species. Please.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Go people go ! hopefully, these will continue until equality for all especially native Caymanians is achieved in the cayman islands! Stop suffering in silence!

    • Anonymous says:

      Who is doing this to you? I don’t see expats running the place.

      • MIKE WEST says:

        COO IS AN EXPAT FYI

      • Anonymous says:

        Not yet. Pretty close if you ask me.

      • Anonymous says:

        What color was a slave driver…?

      • Anonymous says:

        Hamilton is an ex-pat.

        • Concerned says:

          What has race got to do with an expat….you let your mask slip my friend showing you are a racist and against ‘white’ expats as you will probably know most expats are actually black Jamacians. The point is if expats left here so will the money and those left will be fishing again inside 10 years. You rely on expat work permits to pay for ridiculous, poorly run entities like the Turtle farm or any other public entity. The real issue here is the entitlement of Caymanians. You have bred into your own people a sense of entitlement that allows them to fail to put in any effort whatsoever, thinking turning up entitles them to a pay packet. There is no discipline or process to sack a local and so why should they bother to work. This place is paid for by expats who basically run the private sector generating billions in the financial sector. The work permits then pay for the completely useless and inept public sector keeping the vast majority of Caymanians in jobs that shouldn’t even exist. Go digital for goodness sake. Now watch for the vitriol in response because I show the temerity to comment against the ‘culture’ that exists here. ‘Don’t bite the hand that feeds’ seems apt…

          Have some balls Caymanians, go independent and let the wife beater Bush run the show for you. We’ll all go off to another island and run business from there and we may buy the odd snapper from you just to temper your hunger.

          • Anonymous says:

            Sounds like you don’t like it here Cayman. Your contempt for leaps from the page. I’m sure you are only here for a good life. What an unfrateful guest. Why do stay if we are as you describe, why not leave?
            When you decide to leave we will help you pack your bags and walk you to to the plane.Goodbye rubbish!

            • Anonymous says:

              I like Cayman and I lived there for 16 years. As a place it is beautiful, I did find that there is a core of the local population that f**ks everything up for all. This spans everyone from politicians to those hanging around the LA looking for handouts.

    • Anon says:

      I understood that the senior management being complained about is also ‘native Caymanian’, and that the turtle farm is owned by CIG…not sure what is unequal here!?

      • Anonymous says:

        Always need to blame expats as we never blame ourselves when things go wrong. We are always the victim. Ingrained in our mentality.

  32. Anonymous says:

    Hire expats. Your welcome.

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