City Workers Agree To Concessions In New Agreement

DETROIT (WWJ) - AFSCME Local 25, Special Assistant to the President, Ed McNeil says the city is in financial trouble and that is why, he says, a coalition of 30 unions that represent Detroit city workers have agreed to concessions.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Florence Walton reports that the ratification of these contracts include pay cuts, work rule changes, and a committee structure design to monitor progress.

McNeil says that they have helped craft a monitoring process that he says will turn Detroit around.

McNeil says the unions are responsible for millions of dollars - for example, in health care savings for the city.

"This is not a short-term fix, for the long-term process, our committee system is more than just lip service. We have already had people sign up and we are ready to work on initiatives throughout the city, to ensure savings in the most efficient practice," said McNeil.

Union leaders stress that they think Detroit can correct its own problems, without an emergency financial manager or consent agreement.

McNeil says the new agreements are not due to threats of an emergency manager from the state or consent agreement.