State Treasurer Andy Dillon had provided the City of Detroit until early February to develop a plan to avoid a cash shortage expected in April following the completion of the financial review by the State – and today the City of Detroit took a perceived step in the right direction by announcing that an agreement has been reached with the union representing the largest portion of non-uniform city employees.
In a joint statement released by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 25 representative, the two sides called the negotiations “challenging,” as observers noted the progress.
Details of the agreement were not publicly released and must still be ratified by union members. Some sources have reported the agreement includes 10-percent pay reductions, elimination of overtime, and a move to a defined contribution retirement system for new hires.