CARO, MI -- Claiming they are forced to work overtime and in unsafe working conditions, some employees and former employees of the Caro Center marched in a protest Tuesday, July 14, along M-81 near the facility.
"It's an informational picket to raise awareness of the staffing shortages at the facility," said Dave Holzworth, who retired from the center in June.
About 40 to 50 people were taking part in the two-day protest that began Monday. They planned to march with signs from 1-6 p.m. both days.
Holzworth said working conditions at state-run psychiatric hospital are very difficult. He claims management started mandating that employees work double shifts due to staff shortages.
"It started about a year-and-a-half ago," he said. "It used to be for peak season when people were out on vacation or if there was a big snowstorm. But now it's to the point that 75 to 80 percent of the days you work you will be asked to work a double.
"And those are the hourly and direct-care workers."
A call to the center's director's office was redirected to the state's human resources office. A message was left there seeking comment.
'We need more staff'
Holzworth said that getting people interested in a job at the center is not the problem. It's getting Lansing to approve the money.
"We want them to look into staffing levels here," Holzworth said. "A budget appropriation, that's what we're asking for."
Holzworth said hourly workers are accountable every 15 minutes for patients.
"We have a difficult time managing behavior," he said.
The Caro Center had patient escapes in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013 according to Saginaw News records.
"It's not the patients' fault. It's just that we need more staff," Holzworth said.
Bob Johnson is a reporter for MLive/The Saginaw News. Contact him at 989-395-3295, by email at bob_johnson@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter,Facebook or Google+.