Detroit council OKs pension freeze, nixes pay cut
Detroit City Council OKs pension freeze, rejects 20 percent pay cut for nonunion employees
DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit City Council has given partial approval to municipal employee compensation cuts that Mayor Dave Bing is seeking to help close $327 million a budget deficit and stave off a state financial takeover.
The council on Wednesday passed a one-year freeze in pension benefits that Bing says will save $25 million. It means that employees won't earn pension credits for 12 months beginning Feb. 1.
But the council rejected Bing's request for a 20 percent wage reduction for nonunion employees projected to save about $3 million over a year.
Instead, the council scheduled a Jan. 25 hearing on a 10 percent wage cut that would be accomplished through furlough days.
A state review team is considering whether to recommend appointment of an emergency financial manager.
