Wayne County workers protest layoffs

Darren A. Nichols / The Detroit News

Detroit -- More than 100 city and Wayne County workers protested outside the Guardian Building downtown over once-weekly layoffs of 700 workers that began this morning.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, unable to persuade labor to accept 10 percent pay cuts, is furloughing workers every Friday beginning today. That prompted the closure of clerk offices and the Register of Deeds, which records all land transactions such as mortgages and liens.

"(Ficano) is basically making us take off Fridays, people who can't afford it," said Carolyn Storey, a lab technician who has worked 15 years. "That's affecting a lot of people who can't afford it. It's a lot of people in our union that are making under $24,000 and they have been here for years. It makes no sense."

Ficano is planning on furloughing the employees every Friday until further notice, but an administrative law judge gave him 10 days Thursday to prove the move doesn't violate employee contracts. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a grievance claiming the order was arbitrary. The county faces a $100 million deficit and the furloughs are expected to save $6 million.

"We have not agreed to his demand," said Wendy Lukianoff, president of AFSCME Local 25, which represents the 1,500 workers. "It's harming a lot of people. Our members are holding strong, but it's going to be tough. They are already talking about cutting back going to restaurants, and they are wondering how they are going to pay their bills."

Among those is Tracey Williams, a clerical worker who makes $13.75 an hour in the Health Department. She said she recently gave up custody to her children because she can no longer afford them.

"For 15 years, that's a little bit of money. I am at the poverty level now," Williams said. "I cannot afford to live on my own with my children."

Ficano said the alternative is to permanently lay off 300 to 500 of the county's 3,800 workers and cut health care benefits.

City workers participated in the demonstration to show support for their county counterparts. Both are represented by AFSCME and locked in negotiations about wages. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing is also calling for a 10 percent cut to salaries for 50 unions, and has already implemented 26 unpaid furlough days.

dnichols@detnews.com (313) 222-2359