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AFSCME Protests Detroit, Wayne County Demands

"City of Detroit workers and Wayne County workers represented by AFSCME held a rally today, beginning at 4:30 PM, at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center," stated Garrett. "The protesting workers marched from there to the Guardian Building to continue the rally.

"The City of Detroit has hardened its position in bargaining, and is now demanding furlough days for three years," continued Garrett. "In addition, the City demands extreme changes in overtime procedures, and wishes to cancel longevity payments, to create a two tier system of health insurance, and to slash vacation and sick leave.

"Our members are fed up with Mayor Bing's full court press for concessions," added Garrett. "This is an all-out assault on our basic rights and on the services we provide for the citizens and taxpayers.

"Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano presents a bizarre study in contrasts," observed Garrett. "On one hand, crying 'poverty,' he has ordered every Friday as a furlough day until further notice, amounting to a 20 percent cut in pay for the working families involved. On the other hand, he seems to have all sorts of revenue to throw to the winds. After expending $30 million on the Guardian Building, he is now attempting to purchase the MGM Complex for the County.

"Is the County broke, or is it rich, Mr. Ficano? It can't be both simultaneously!" commented Garrett.

"Of the workers targeted by Mr. Ficano's order, 60 percent are women, and 50 percent earn less than $30,000 per year," concluded Garrett. "It seems abundantly clear that Mr. Ficano is trying to punish County workers for not acquiescing to his demands for concessions. Under Michigan law, that is not how the system works, Mr. Ficano."

Albert Garrett is also Michigan Vice President for AFSCME International. Michigan AFSCME Council 25 represents more than 90,000 public workers across Michigan. AFSCME International represents 1.4 million public workers nationwide. News releases issued by Michigan AFSCME Council 25 are available at http://laborweb.afscme.org/sites/MI_C_25

SOURCE Michigan AFSCME Council 25