DETROIT, Mich (WJBK) -- "How dare the mayor do this. It's frustrating," says June Nickleberry an AFSME City Employee.
City employees like June Nickleberry have already taken a 10 percent pay cut and now they're facing furloughs.
"They want to close city government down every Monday," says Catherine Phillips an AFSME Retiree.
And AFSME leadership says those furlough days add up to a 20 percent pay cut...and that's on top of the ten percent their members have already swallowed. And the possibility of layoffs.
"That seems like cutting off you nose to spite your face because these people if they are not already seeking public assistance will be taking dollars from tax payers under public assistance. They won't be able to survive," says Phillips.
So you can imagine their reaction when they learned that more than 11 hundred union and non-union city employees received bonuses ranging from $150 to $750. Costing the city nearly $500,000.
"So this obviously has nothing to do with money or budget issues or finances. This has to do with control and takeover," says Phillips
"He's full of it. And it ain't right what he's doing," says Nickleberry.
So what's Mayor Bing have to say. His office says those bonuses were an 89 percent decrease from last year's payout of more than 4 million dollars. The mayor's statement says longevity bonus payments made to union employees were the result of previously negotiated contracts. The mayor brought council a resolution to end longevity bonuses this summer and they approved it in September. The law department is preparing an ordinance amendment to end longevity payments for non-union employees. The mayor says in part "One of my frustrations is that the city processes are antiquated and the length of time needed to bring about change is often inefficient and counterproductive. I expect that once the appropriate ordinance is received by city council, the longevity bonus payments will end for non union employees."
"It just seems like it's unfair that they keep treating us like this," says Nickleberry.
The layoffs and furloughs are expected to go into effect sometime next year.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:15 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:15:15 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:27:33 GMT
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:17 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:17:03 GMT
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:19:36 GMT
Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures approved by Republican-led budget panels.
Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures approved by Republican-led budget panels.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:47:05 GMT
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
