Detroit City Council agrees to one year pension freeze
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By Alexis Wiley Fox 2 News
On Wednesday, Detroit City Council voted to freeze contributions to the city's pension for civilian employees. Currently, it applies to non-union workers but if it's imposed on the unions the city will save $25 million dollars. But what means savings for the city means hard times for people like Andrea Hackett
"I've had a ten percent pay cut for three years and now they're proposing three more," says Hackett
And soon she may be forced to swallow yet another ten-percent pay cut. In addition to forking over more cash for health care, the mayor asked the council to authorize up to a 20-percent pay cut. Although, the mayor said all he really needed was ten. And that's exactly what some council members say they are prepared to give him. One furlough day every two weeks which adds up to a ten-percent pay cut.
"We're asking a lot and we would like to mitigate some of this financial pain to people's pay checks. Having the increase be as much as ten extra percent is enough," says Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh.
But Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown says sadly that may not be enough.
"The mayor asked for 20-percent for a reason. He needs to use it as leverage when he negotiates with the unions to get a minimum of ten-percent from the unions. and if he has to start out with 10-percent with the unions and he's negotiating then he probably won't get ten-percent," says Brown.
Council is expected to create an ordinance that will allow workers who are at 24 years or let's say 29 years to still continue to accrue time so they can retire on schedule.
Meanwhile that vote on the pay cuts is suppose to happen January 25th.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:04:18 GMT
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:01:40 GMT
Recess at Academy of the Americas in southwest Detroit is 20 minutes out of the day where all kids have to do is play, and that time is more valuable than you think.
Recess at Academy of the Americas in southwest Detroit is 20 minutes out of the day where all kids have to do is play, and that time is more valuable than you think.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:10:41 GMT
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
