By AP
DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Dave Bing says city unions have ignored a 30-day deadline for wage concessions needed to help reduce a $300 million budget deficit.
Bing said in a release Thursday that "every day that union leaders ignore the fiscal realities of the city is another missed opportunity to stabilize" finances.
He met with union leaders last month at the start of contract negotiations. Bing has said concessions are necessary to prevent layoffs and cuts to city services.
AFSCME Local 207 Secretary-Treasurer Michael Mulholland says negotiations don't follow "arbitrary 30-day deadlines" and that union leadership is building up for a strike.
He says negotiations with the city were held Thursday and two more are scheduled next week.