An independent fact-finder ruled that state law allows the Detroit Mayor to impose a new contract on workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents around 3,600 city workers. The Mayor wants to institute a 10% pay cut through furloughs, cut longevity pay and reduce health care benefits. The union says that its members are barely making ends meet, and that any cuts will only hurt them further. A cooling off period after the report was released in June ended on Sunday, and it is unclear what will happen next. The Mayor says that he is prepared to impose a new contract, but he needs the City Council's approval. The Council will reconvene on September 3, and another bargaining session is planned for September 9.
See "Under law, Bing could make union take pay cut", Suzette Hackney, Detroit Free Press, August 30, 2010