Advocacy News
Here you will find news and updates related to MCO’s advocacy efforts at the legislature and with department administration.
Uplifting our First Responders and Frontline Workers: Webinar & discussion about COVID-related distress
Facing the constant risk of contracting COVID-19 on the job is not easy. It can create anxiety, depression, and symptoms of emotional distress that you may never have experienced before. Would you like to learn how to manage these feelings and regain hope? Join the Michigan Stay Well grant team for “Uplifting our First Responders […]
Now Hiring: Member Support Specialist
MCO is hiring a Member Support Specialist. Full job description here.
Email the Governor about forced use of leave time for COVID-19
If you’ve been forced to use your annual leave or sick leave for COVID-19 illness or quarantine, email Governor Whitmer to tell her Corrections Officers and FSAs need their leave time. We were excluded from the CARES Act.
A look back at our advocacy this year and our priorities for 2021
MCO Members, As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, it continues to create extremely hazardous and stressful working conditions inside of all of the state prisons and the state forensic psychiatry hospital. As we all know, the pandemic conditions have been made even worse by the extremely high number of vacancies in our ranks. Simply put, […]
Report mandatory overtime violations and unsafe conditions here
DRC Closure Meetings this Thursday
Members at DRC and DDC are encouraged to join MCO leaders to discuss the closure. We will answer questions and give everyone a packet explaining your options and the closure process. These meetings are come-and-go; you don’t need to stay for the entire time. DRC members who are temporarily reassigned to JCF, MRF, ARF, and […]
2021 MDOC Budget Update
Last week, the governor signed off on a FY 2020-2021 corrections budget that totals approximately $2.06 billion. This includes $13.9 million for training new custody staff. This budget contains boilerplate language directing the MDOC to recruit and train an additional 700 corrections officers. Unfortunately, one of the outcomes of the budget will be the closure of […]
Parental Leave LOU
MCO and the state have signed a Letter of Understanding that allows new parents up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, without having to use their sick or annual leave. The LOU also covers some adoptions. The LOU doesn’t apply to anyone on maternity or paternity leave before Oct. 1, 2020. This is a […]
BULLETIN: MDOC announces the closure of Detroit Reentry Center
MDOC has announced the closure of the Detroit Reentry Center, tentatively scheduled for January 2021. MCO leaders were notified this afternoon. DRC’s closure will be part of a budget deal, according to the MDOC’s announcement. “The 2020-21 state budget will include a $12.3 million spending cut for the MDOC related to this closure,” their announcement […]