LANSING – State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) today said that he has been talking with the Michigan Civil Service Commission (MCSC), the Michigan Works! Agency and Michigan Talent Connect to ensure that state jobs are posted on each of their websites so that the skilled workers being laid off from the Empire Mine can apply for them.

“I have had meetings in Lansing this week with Michigan Civil Service Commission, the Michigan Works! Agency and Michigan Talent Connect officials making sure that all state job postings are linked to their websites so these workers know what is available to them,” said Dianda. “Empire Mine workers are highly skilled in the trades, in IT and data services and in other jobs that many state departments are looking to fill.”

Dianda encouraged officials at the Michigan Works! Agency and Michigan Talent Connect to link to the MCSC, which lists hundreds of state jobs that are available for workers from all different job and education backgrounds.

“State jobs are available for workers with or without college degrees, as well as for skilled trades workers,” said Dianda. “These are good jobs with good benefits that start on the day you begin work, and many state departments are looking for workers in communities across the U.P. I want these Empire Mine workers to be able to look through these jobs and apply for any that fit their skills so they can stay in the U.P. and Michigan.”

Dianda also pointed out that some of these employees are veterans, which would give them preference for some open positions. He thanked the Upper Peninsula Construction Council and the United Steelworkers for their support of these workers and the assistance they’ve offered them.

“I also want to encourage these workers to reach out to the Upper Peninsula Construction Council to inquire about jobs and apprenticeships,” said Dianda. “Tony Retaskie, the executive director of the council, has said they’ve been able to place 50 laid off workers into building trades jobs and hope to help more. It’s the holiday season and these folks are facing unemployment through no fault of their own. It’s time for state agencies to work together and make sure information about job openings is easily accessible to job seekers.  There are families to feed and bills to pay, so we need to pull out all the stops when it comes to sharing information on the good state jobs that are available.”

Dianda encourages job seekers to visit these websites for state job openings: