Correctional officers from Marquette Branch prison went on the picket line Tuesday to protest what they call unsustainable staffing levels.
Employees with the Michigan Department of Corrections say 750 officer vacancies statewide have made working at prisons dangerous.
Byron Osborn is president of the Michigan Corrections Organization. He says widespread mandatory overtime, sometimes several days a week, is normal practice.
“It’s not uncommon for our folks to be on the clock for 24 hours because they can’t get relieved. We don’t have anybody to go relieve them.”
Osborn says the union submitted a vote of no confidence letter to the governor and lawmakers regarding current MDOC director Heidi Washington.
“We believe a complete overhaul in leadership is needed, and there also needs to be a commitment made by the Legislature and the governor’s office to address the recruitment and retention of corrections officers in Michigan.”
Osborn says the removal of retirement health care coverage from benefits packages isn’t making recruitment efforts any easier.
He adds the union may be in for a long campaign, but it isn’t letting the matter go.