01-17-2015

The Reduction in Force (RIF) by the Department of Human Services (DHS) has impacted
thousands of our members. The union will enforce our contract and will make every reasonable
effort to support you during this painful and stressful process. We have Local Services for
Members, which includes Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Representatives to help with
personal problems that may be exacerbated by the RIF. Additionally we have Benefits
Representative and our “Answer Man” Ted Gregg who can be reached at 800-243-1985
during business hours.

The DHS Labor / Management team is working with the department and will provide updates as
we get them. Let me take the time to thank the team that has been working around the clock
during this process. Most importantly thank you for the work you do day in and day out for
Michigan citizens. We are appreciative of the professionalism of our members and proud
of your work. During this tumultuous time it is important we support each other.

The UAW Local 6000 Executive Board and Staff will continue our mission to represent you all
to the best of our abilities.

Edward Mitchell\PUAW Local 6000 President

01-15-2015

On December 18^th the Union received notice from DHS of a Reduction-in-Force. The effective date of potential bumps/layoffs is scheduled for February 15, 2015.

On January 15, 2015, the Union met with DHS to review their bumping calculations. Unfortunately, the Union was unable to review the bumps with DHS to determine the accuracy because DHS would not give us all the information needed to determine if the bumps/layoffs were correct.

DHS advised the Union of their intent to hand deliver the bump/layoff notices by Friday, January 16, 2015. Employees not working during this week would receive their notices on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. Employees on a leave from work would receive their notices through the U.S. mail. Employees accepting their bump will be reporting to their new assignments on February 17^th due to the February 16^th holiday.

As a result of the recent law enforcement shootings in New York, we must be even more cautious than in the past. A warning has been issued by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director, Terrence L. Jungel.  The Officer Safety Notification reads as follows:

OFFICER SAFETY NOTIFICATION
POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE OFFICERS' VEHICLES

According to a credible source claiming secondhand access, gang members (notably those in large metropolitan areas) plan to loosen the lug nuts on officers' personal vehicles. Specifically, vehicles displaying Law Enforcement, Police Benevolent Association and/or Fraternal Order of Police plates and/or stickers.

Officers are encouraged to continue to be extremely vigilant and exercise caution before operating ANY vehicle that carries a law enforcement affiliation, particularly if they have been away from their vehicle for an extended period of time.

We know that many of our Parole/Probation Agents as well as Field Service Assistants have the above plates and stickers on their vehicles. As a result, we are encouraging you to take the above notification seriously.  Always be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the conditions of your vehicles as well. Be safe out there.

Kelly Barnett, DOC Liaison and Local Representative

We want to make sure that Local 6000 members knows that MFPP is here to provide free and confidential services to assist our Members with mortgage foreclosure issues.

The link, www.FightMortgageForeclosure.com, will connect you to a reliable source for information on mortgage foreclosure, available options, and answers to frequently asked questions. Most important, by filling out the online application you will be assigned to a member of the MSHDA Certified Counseling Staff who will work with you to determine what your options are and advocate for you with your Lender.

Following are Quick Facts on MFPP that may be of interest to you.

Quick Facts: Wayne County Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program

§ MFPP is a free taxpayer-supported service for Wayne County residents.

§ MFPP has assisted over 5000 residents.

§ One (1) in every thirty one (31) Wayne County homes was in foreclosure in 2010.

§ Only about 50% of families in foreclosure reach out for help and most of them are not aware of free housing counseling services available

§ MFPP has a home retention rate of 58%, for residents that do seek assistance, which is twice the national average.

§ MFPP is a HUD certified agency with counselors certified by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Many Americans are guilty of historical amnesia when it comes to the benefits we have as a result of labor unions. Today’s anti-unionism culture is growing, spread by corporations and politicians to plant ideas in the minds of the public to destroy the middle-class. The most forceful of these ideas is the one that attacks public employee unions and the negotiated benefits of members of those unions. Corporate lobbyists have spread misinformation about the “idea” of lavish public employee wages and benefits. Partly due to this, these myths are now widely accepted by the majority of citizens. Corporations and politicians continue to perpetuate myths that demonize public employees and union membership. They build on the idea and image of public employees who are greedily sucking the life out of state budgets with huge salaries and pensions. Again, it’s an idea that has been planted in the minds of American citizens to drive a wedge between the public and private sector to further fuel attempts to drive the middle-class in the race to the bottom.

There is power in becoming an active member of our Local. The power is in the ability to use resource available to us such as the freedom of speech, power of the pen, the right to gather publicly and present opposing views without being jailed. Recently, members of Local 6000 have utilized all those powers in writing our legislators in regards to stopping legislation that would be harmful to issues concerning retirement and benefits. Members have also used their power to speak by making appointments with their legislator and to testify at House and Senate Hearings. We have also gathered and held rallies in response to attacks on our retirement benefits, health care, public safety issues, and Wall Street’s attack on Main Street. In the past few months public employees have demonstrated we will no longer sit idly by while corporate America or politicians take what we have worked long and hard to obtain. We will gather where we need to apply pressure, speak up when we are attacked, and oppose legislation that threatens to unravel our futures.