WXYZ 7 has just shown video of striking workers picketing outside the Detroit Water department plant in Southwest which started earlier today. They are said to be protesting wage cuts and layoffs. It is not clear if they have walked off the job [actually wildcatting], how many there are or if this is part of a larger actions.

It is headed to the courts tomorrow AM as Mayor Bing tries to get an injunction against the action. Water and sewage services are not yet affected.

Local 207 President John Riehl, who represents the workers on strike, says more than 900 staffers have agreed to the stoppage.

But in the statement from water department management Alfonso claimed it was only 30 workers who walked off the job, not 900.

Riehl says his members authorized a strike to protest Mayor Dave Bing’s plan to downsize the department, which includes layoffs of most of the department’s 2,000 workers. The plan also calls for outsourcing many of the positions to a private contractor.

Like most other city workers DPW staffers are also facing a 10-percent pay cut.
Who's next? Cops being forced to work 12 hour shifts while taking wage cuts?