(WPBN/WGTU) — Correctional officers are striking across the Upper Peninsula this week to protest what their union calls a staffing crisis at the prisons as it negotiates with the state.
UpNorthLive News spoke to prison guards on the picket line to hear their thoughts and concerns.
There are two state prisons in Kincheloe: Chippewa and Kinross.
On Monday, the officers normally found inside were outside, telling the Department of Corrections that they were understaffed and overwhelmed.
“It starts with officers who actually want to go home not being able to because they are forced to work excessive overtime, which means multiple double shifts a week. Sometimes several days in a row,” says Tim Fleury, a correctional officer at the Alger Correctional Facility.
“I have a 12-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. I would love to participate in their sports activities. That’s not possible in this job right now. And my colleagues and the people here are experiencing the same thing right now: You can’t do the things you want to do,” Fleury said.
The Michigan Corrections Organization said it is currently in negotiations but does not feel like a partner with the state.
State Senator John Damoose has proposed a bill to include correctional officers in the police pension fund.
But state Rep. David Prestin believes the executive branch could solve the retention problems if it wanted to.
“This is a high-pressure job and if you want people to succeed here, you have to pay them a wage and give them a life,” said Rep. Prestin. “Work-life balance is what’s killing them here. They’re in a self-revolving, out-of-control, endless loop that will end in disaster.”
According to the local MCO branch, there were 1,968 hours of overtime in July, many of which were mandatory.
They claim that the number has increased since last July, when it was 1,254.
Due to staff shortages, some units in Chippewa have been closed, the chapter said. This means that their capacity of 2,400 places is significantly below that of the company.
But on a personal level, for guards like Fleury, it’s more than just a numbers game.
“It just wears you down. You get tired. You get fed up. It’s been going on for a few years now and you feel like nobody is listening to us right now. And we need their attention and the solution to this crisis,” Fleurry said.
Late Monday afternoon, UpNorthLive News received the following response from the Michigan Department of Corrections:
“In direct response to staffing issues, the Security Division has strategically and security-wise closed several units across the state, including facilities in Baraga, Chippewa and Marquette.
“In addition, over 45 certified officers are available to support the Marquette Branch prison through a volunteer assistance program.”
