Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:37 AM

Wayne County Michigan (Detroit + 35 Cities) Imposes Huge Wage Cuts on AFSCME Union Workers

Wayne County Michigan, fed up with two years of failed negotiations on wages and benefits for public union workers, has decided to impose wage cuts on AFSCME union employees.

The Wayne County News Release states "Wayne County will implement a 10% reduction the union refused to take in budget year 2009-2010, as well as the 10% reduction for the current 2010-2011 budget year." http://www.co.wayne.mi.us/documents/new ... 120110.pdf

The wording is somewhat ambiguous as to whether the cut is 10% or 20%. The Detroit News reports 10% while the Detroit Free Press reports 20%.

The Detroit News reports 10% pay cut for Wayne Co. union workers http://www.detnews.com/article/20101201 ... 1409/metro

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said he's left with no choice but to implement cuts to pay and benefits for union workers effective today.

The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees will take a 10 percent cut after refusing to do so for nearly two years, Ficano said in a released statement. The sides are at an impasse on several issues, including key economic and benefit issues, he said.

The Detroit Free Press reports Wayne Co. imposes 20% wage cuts on workers http://www.freep.com/article/20101201/N ... on-workers

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano today imposed what amounts to a nearly 20% wage reduction on 1,400 employees in the county’s largest union after two years of failed negotiations.

Employees’ checks will be reduced 10% for not accepting wage cuts for the last budget year and an additional 10% for the 2010-11 budget.

“Our efforts have been tireless, and unfortunately, it’s painfully clear this action must be taken due to the fiscal reality we’re all living in,â€