Marquette, Michigan  ̶  UAW Local 6000 members today held an informational picket to bring attention to management problems that are creating a mass exodus of talented state employees at the Marquette Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) facility.

“Our members are well-trained, care about this community and report to work wanting nothing more than to do a good job. Instead they are subjected to a barrage of conditions that not only prevent them from performing at optimum levels, but threatens consistent care to Marquette area families and costs taxpayers due to such high turnover,” said UAW Local 6000 President Ed Mitchell.

Pickets, wearing red to show their solidarity, walked in front of the facility and handed out leaflets explaining the conditions UAW Local 6000 members face. The union represents 62 state employees in the tri-county area that includes Marquette, Alger and Schoolcraft. The facility located at 234 W. Baraga Ave. is the largest metro area State DHHS office in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Marquette DHHS has lost about half of its staff since 2013 because of a lack of support from, and bullying by, management, said Mitchell.

“State employees deserve better and so do Michigan taxpayers who pay the costs when state offices are not run efficiently, and when committed, dedicated employees face roadblocks to providing consistently high-quality services,” Mitchell said.

UAW Local 6000 represents workers in every Department in State of Michigan government. Members include nurses, teachers, doctors, probation officers, social workers and secretaries. Local 6000 members issue driver licenses, answer 911 calls, take care of Michigan’s elderly and provide assistance to Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens.