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Protest Planned At Closed Social Services Office In Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK (AP) - State workers plan to protest outside a Detroit-area social services office that closed last year because of water issues and hasn't reopened.

A union representing Department of Health and Human Services employees says the closure of the agency's Highland Park branch is causing problems for public assistance recipients who can't afford transportation and don't have computer access in an impoverished city.

The UAW union organizing Tuesday's protest is worried the office will never reopen because Gov. Rick Snyder wants office consolidation savings.

Michigan leases the building and is seeking to have safety issues addressed, but it's uncertain if it will reopen. DHHS spokesman Bob Wheaton says the state shares concerns about being accessible, and will serve people in traditional offices and where they're already going such as hospitals and schools.

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