Michigan Corrections Organization, along with the State of Michigan, is proud to recognize May 5-11  as “Correctional Officers Week.”

This week is our opportunity to thank all of the men and women of MCO and acknowledge the dangerous and difficult job you do on a daily basis.  As front line staff behind the walls, officers put their personal safety at risk and protect the public by ensuring prisons are run safely and professionally.

To help spread the word, wear MCO gear in your community and send a picture to mail@mco-seiu.org while you’re out and about. If the opportunity presents itself, tell someone about your job and let them know where you work. Believe it or not, this is the best way to increase public awareness, educate people on the dangers of our profession and help shape a positive perception that cannot be found in movies or on television.

Again, thank you for all you do and please join us in celebrating Correctional Officers Week!

This would let the program – which the Department of Corrections claimed was just a stopgap measure while they trained new officers – continue indefinitely!

Research the bill here. You can also read the actual bill here.

MCO is asking all members to contact their own representatives immediately and ask them to vote no! Click here to send your state representative an email.

Aramark – a company with a questionable reputation – will take over food service inside Michigan prisons. The company will also provide some security services, a detail MCO is asking the MDOC to define. MCO continues to oppose the privatization of food service, viewing it as a threat to the safety and security of the institutions.

Officials with the DOC and the Department of Technology, Management and Budget announced March 1 they would not award any food service bids.

The DOC and DTMB changed their minds after a legislative committee hauled them in for a hearing, scrutinizing the math used to conclude none of the bids would have resulted in significant savings. The committee complained private bidders couldn’t make an apples-to-apples budget comparison and the bidders had to estimate costs for feeding all prisoners three meals a day even though many skip breakfast.

Magically, the DOC and DTMB now say Aramark will save $16 million, or 20 percent, annually.

Kentucky lawmakers have questioned whether dissatisfaction over food provided by Aramark contributed to a prison riot Aug. 21, 2009. Eight COs were injured as well as several inmates. Several buildings were decimated when inmates lit the joint on fire.

Aramark has faced lawsuits in other states on accusations of sexual harassment, retaliation and racial bias.

Aramark’s takeover date hasn’t been set. No contract has been signed yet between the state and Aramark.

STATUS OF RUO DISPUTE: The Civil Service Commission classification division has finished its investigation. CSC representatives interviewed corrections officers at every prison in the state. Right now, we’re just waiting on them to analyze their findings and make a decision. MCO is doing everything it can to push this along.

• UPDATE 4/26/13 MCO recently inquired again about the status of this situation. This week, we received this response from our contact at the CSC:  “I expect to release our report within a few weeks—definitely in May.”

STATUS OF 4 PERCENT LAWSUIT: The lawsuit is now at the Michigan Court of Appeals. A district court judge sided with state employees last fall, and the State appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals. MCO is doing everything possible to push this case along, but please understand, the courts work slowly. After a decision is made, the losing side will probably take the case to the State Supreme Court, which would then need time to review the case.

• UPDATE 5/13/13 The Court of Appeals has scheduled oral arguments at 10 a.m. June 12. After the arguments, the Court will write an opinion. The Court has no deadline for writing the opinion. For more on this update, read this bulletin.

Please be aware, the information on this page won’t change until we have an update. We are constantly asking the CSC and our attorneys for updates and we communicate developments as soon we know the details. If you don’t hear or read anything new for weeks, it’s because there’s nothing new to report.

The MCO KYI frequently has updates on the RUO and 4 percent challenges. To see past updates, visit our KYI archives.

Why do you think recruits need a union? Tell us in a comment. We might use your input in future recruit publications.

Jabari Johnson, 20, was sentenced this week after a February trial. The inmate held a shank to an officer’s throat and threatened to kill him. Another officer came to the scene and talked Johnson down. Eventually the prisoner obeyed orders to put down the weapon. The officer suffered minor injuries.

Johnson is now housed at ICF.

This is yet another reminder of the dangers that lurk around every corner inside the walls. Watch your back, watch your partner’s back and stay safe.

MCO is diligently sharing stories like these as proof of the dangerous job you do every day. Please share stories like this with us so we can spread the word.

So why are you sticking with MCO? Tell us in a video! Make a short video telling the world why you’re sticking with your union. Post the video on your YouTube account and email a link to anita@mco-seiu.org. We might embed your video on this page. Or, you can tell us by filling out the We are MCO pledge.

To see upcoming Right to Work meetings, visit our events calendar.

Topics addressed include why reform was needed and when it will impact you.

Check it out at healthcarereformbasics.com.

About 50 people showed up at the State Capitol today, the day Right to Work (for Less) became law.

Many wore duct tape over their mouths to symbolize the silencing of their voices at work.

See photos of the Capitol action on Flickr.

Several other protests were held today, including a rally outside a Detroit athletic club where Gov. Rick Snyder was giving a speech.

ORIGINAL POST:

Right to Work (for Less) goes into effect Thursday, March 28, and unions won’t let the day pass quietly.

Protests, candlelight vigils, marches and other events are scheduled in cities around the state.

There will be a silent protest at noon at the state Capitol in Lansing to symbolize the silencing of workers’ voices.  To find an event near you, go to local.americawantstowork.org/all.

And if you don’t have to work, wear red Thursday. Tell your friends and family to wear red, too. When you cross paths with someone wearing red, ask them if they belong to a union.

Visit MCO’s Right to Work education page to learn more about Right to Work.