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Detroit Bus Drivers Brace For Layoffs

DETROIT (WWJ) - A group of city workers is waiting to find out if they'll still have a job at the end of this month.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis reports this is part of the 1,000 layoffs that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced in November.

Henry Gaffney, President of the DDOT Bus Drivers Union, said DDOT will be hit hard.

"It's 383 people out of DDOT, total of out that thousand," said Gaffney, adding that this will include 60 mechanics. "And I know you know the problem we had this summer getting buses fixed. Now you're laying off 60 mechanics ... I mean, what are we gonna do?"

Gaffney said riders, too, will feel the pain.

"People ride the bus because they have to, not because I'm leaving my car at home and I think I'll ride the bus today," he said.

Gaffney said he was told that bus driver layoffs would happen on February 24 -- 163 of them.

Meantime, the city is not confirming any firm layoff numbers at this time. A spokesperson for Mayor Bing said that information will be released at a later date.

RELATED: Detroit Reaches Tentative Contract Deal With City Unions

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