LANSING, Mich. - What began as a loosely organized group of protestors camped out near New York's financial district in Manhattan has grown into a crowd of thousands over the past few weeks. Starting this weekend, it will also include dozens of state employees from Michigan.



A caravan, which is not officially sponsored by any one labor union, will make the 11-hour drive to join the growing "Occupy Wall Street" movement. Protestors there are rallying against an array of issues, including corporate greed and income inequality.



Ray Holman, legislative liaison for UAW Local 6000, which represents nearly 17,000 Michigan workers, is coordinating the trip. He says it's important for Michigan workers to add their voices to the growing chorus.



"We've been dealing with this bad economy for ten years and we know that slashing and burning government services doesn't work, because our unemployment rate continue to go up, and we've cut government to levels not seen since the mid-1960s."



The group plans to leave Lansing at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, join the protests, and drive back in time to report for work on Monday morning, Oct. 10.



Holman organized a similar trip to Madison, Wisconsin, in February to support state workers there as they fought efforts to curb collective bargaining rights. He says this is another opportunity to show solidarity for workers and share Michigan's story on the national stage.



"Our revenues have really dried up, so it's made it very difficult to provide the essential services that state employees do."



Holman says the group plans to protest peacefully, and that workers will be using their own cars and money to make the trip.

