Detroit mayor says need for wage concessions from labor unions is urgent

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20090806/FREE/908069991#

POSTED: 1:22 p.m., Aug. 6, 2009
LAST MODIFIED: 1:23 p.m., Aug. 6, 2009

By Nancy Kaffer

It's time for the city's labor unions to play ball, according to a statement released today by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's office.

“Today marks 30 days from my request for more aggressive contract negotiations for the city of Detroit and its unions,” Bing's statement said. “I stated at the kickoff of these negotiations my desire and the city's need to quickly conclude this process…With the passing of the 30-day deadline, it is imperative that the citizens realize what is going on and the reality we face.”

Each passing day deepens the city's fiscal troubles, Bing said, and leads to direct consequences in terms of service cuts and layoffs.

A statement issued earlier this week by John Riehl, president of AFSCME Local 207, denounced Bing's call for concessions, and set a date for a second picket at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.

The city's accumulated deficit is projected at $270 million to $300 million, with a projected shortfall of $50 million to $60 million for fiscal 2010.

The Detroit City Council recently approved 26 unpaid days off, equal to a 10 percent pay cut, for non-union executive and legislative employees. That cut will save the city roughly $600,000 a month.

FULL story at link.