Detroit Union Workers Protest Pay Cut
Pay Cuts Already Scheduled For Non-Union Workers
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DETROIT -- "Chop from the top!" That was the rallying cry of Detroit city worker unions Wednesday who protested in front of the Spirit of Detroit as they fought to stave off requested cuts.
The city wants workers to take 26 furlough days, or a 10 percent pay cut. But the union said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's administration is top heavy and unwise in its spending.
"The mayor just gave $10,000 raises to his administrative staff and they have cars and expense accounts that the city pays for," said American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 207 President John Riehl. "It shows the mayor doesn't care about this city."
The mayor has said he is taking $1 a year pay and donating the rest to the Detroit Police Department.
Bing said the city is all but broke and needs concessions, or else could face receivership.
"We've got presidents of all of these bargaining units that are paid by the city of Detroit to work for the unions, they don't work for the city," Bing said. "So they ought to look at themselves look in the mirror and say, 'Are we taking advantage of the situation?'"
Bing said he would like to have a deal with the unions to take their cut by Aug. 28.
Non-union workers have already agreed to take a 10 percent pay cut, which will go into effect Sept. 1.
Bing said the city is facing nearly 1,000 city worker layoffs after Sept. 28.