Several speakers addressed labor and senior‑service issues during public comment at the Wayne County Commission meeting.

SEIU Local 1 leaders and affected janitors said workers who cleaned Lincoln Hall of Justice were displaced after a contractor change. Pam Lawrence, SEIU Local 1 vice president, told commissioners that many workers were not offered positions by the incoming contractor and received little notice; she said some displaced workers faced imminent hardship. Lamica King, a janitor and SEIU member, said replacement contractors pay lower wages and offer fewer benefits and that the change had harmed workers and families. Commissioners—several of whom identified as union supporters—asked the administration to meet with SEIU representatives and requested follow‑up information.

Lieutenants Donald Watts and Robert Hall introduced themselves as newly elected president and vice president of AFSCME Local 3317 (sheriff’s supervisors) and said they look forward to engaging with the commission.

On senior services, William “Chuck” Jackson, director of Wayne County Senior Services, reported that the Senior Alliance (which funds services in western and Downriver Wayne County) would use reserve funds to continue Meals on Wheels during the federal shutdown. Jackson said the Senior Alliance would fund the program “out of their reserves” so deliveries would continue for the interim period, and that the county and Senior Alliance would send a joint letter to seniors with updated information.

How the commission responded: Commissioners expressed solidarity with the displaced janitors and asked administration staff to brief them on the Lincoln Hall of Justice contract transition after the meeting. The chair said she would discuss the issue with the administration and requested a follow‑up. Commissioners thanked Mr. Jackson for the Meals on Wheels update and encouraged outreach to seniors.

Why it matters: The contract transition displaced workers and raised labor‑market and poverty concerns. The Senior Alliance’s interim funding means Meals on Wheels deliveries for western Wayne/Downriver residents should continue while the federal shutdown persists.

Next steps: Commissioners requested administration follow‑up on the Lincoln Hall of Justice contractor transition and asked staff to coordinate with unions and affected workers; county senior services will distribute a joint notice about Meals on Wheels continuity.