Detroit, Unions Reach Deal to Avoid Takeover

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and a majority of city employee unions have reached tentative agreement on concessions aimed at avoiding a state takeover.

“This agreement is the first meaningful step in achieving the necessary concessions and structural changes,” Bing, 68, said via Twitter.

The deal, but no details, was confirmed by Al Garrett, president of AFSCME Council 25. The agreement covers about 6,500 of the city’s about 11,000 employees, not including police and firefighters who have resisted a demand for a 10 percent wage cut, he said.

The city and unions must agree to concessions early this month to avoid state action, such as the appointment of an emergency manager with broad powers to cut spending, said state Treasurer Andy Dillon. Dillon is leading a review of city finances, after a preliminary review found it will run out of cash by May, and that it faces a $200 million operating deficit.