Former President Of AFSCME Local 207, John Riehl, Dies

DETROIT (WWJ) - John Riehl, the longtime former President of AFSCME Local 207, has died. Riehl had worked at the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant for 34 years and was elected head of the union in 2000 - a post he held until 2012.

Defying a court order, Riehl led a strike in 2012 when the city was faced with an emergency manager.

He also was also elected to represent all city employees on the Detroit General Pension Board.

The union released a statement saying "Detroit and the labor movement has lost a great and uncommon leader."

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.