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Detroit Mayor Expects Deal With Unions By Year's End

DETROIT (WWJ) - Mayor Dave Bing is reporting more progress at the table as he tries to work with the city's big labor unions on possible concessions to save money.

Without going into specifics, Bing told WWJ's Vickie Thomas that talks aimed at reaching a deal with city unions are bearing fruit.

"We're having meetings every day with out union partners and I will say to you that I'm pretty pleased with where we are. There are a lot of negotiations, there are a lot of things on the table. We've made a committment not to go out one-off and talk about what we've agreed upon," said Bing.

Talks continue under threat from the state of appointing an emergency manager or entering into a consent agreement with Detroit if leaders cannot make a deal.

Bing thinks they will be able to reach an agreement by the end of the year.

"We want to have a total comprehensive agreement that will be supported by the mayor's office, by City Council and by our unions, and we're getting closer and closer to that. So I feel confident that in a reasonable about of time, which means yet this month, that we will have a plan signed off by all of us," said Bing.

Last week, the State Department of Treasury completed a preliminary review of the city's finances. The department has over 20 days left to decide if Detroit needs an emergency manager.

Bing has promised full cooperation, but has said Detroit should be run by Detroiters.

Read more on the financial crisis, here.

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