Monday, August 13 2012 7:52 PM EDT2012-08-13 23:52:57 GMT
The Detroit Financial Advisory Board meeting Monday and is figuring out how to fix the financial mess in the city. That means pay cuts for all city employees are just days away.
The Detroit Financial Advisory Board meeting Monday and is figuring out how to fix the financial mess in the city. That means pay cuts for all city employees are just days away.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
$32,000. That's the starting salary to protect and serve in Detroit, one of the highest crime rates in the nation with one of the lowest starting salaries for a city its size. Now that number goes down again. 10 percent pay cuts for many city employees start on Wednesday.
For police officers, "We were already scraping to get by in the first place," said Scott Pellerito.
They will see cuts in their paychecks starting August 24.
"We have a lot of people that are probably not going to be able to make their mortgage. They may go into bankruptcy," Pellerito said.
He is an officer and on the board for the Detroit Police Officers Association. How does it hit home? Pellerito says it hits hard.
"I know of an officer that is collecting bottles to put food on his table, and that's previous to these cuts. It's not just 10 percent. It's the other benefits, as well, which amount to basically a 20 percent pay cut."
Rising healthcare costs makes the pay cut even worse, then there are the hours.
"A single family on a twelve hour shift that they're forcing us to do, where do you find a daycare center that's going to take your child on midnights for twelve hours," Pellerito remarked.
The mayor's office is imposing the cuts. Members of the Financial Advisory Board appointed by the state, mayor and members of the council insist they realize these are tough decisions, but these are tough times.
"Nobody's running for office. Nobody's getting big money. Everybody's doing it only because they want to help Detroit be better," board member Ron Whipple said Monday.
"We're moving forward with all the initiatives, imposing the contacts," City Council President Pro-tem Gary Brown also said Monday.
All the protests and anger isn't likely to go anywhere anytime soon, nor is the pay cut, which takes effect soon.
The mayor's office on several occasions and the Financial Advisory Board have maintained that they need to take these steps in order to balance the books and get the city out of the red. In the meantime, the DPOA says they'll be doing a little homework themselves. They plan to take legal action against the city.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:08 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:08:18 GMT
Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
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DPOA board member Scott Pellerito shares his thoughts on 10 percent pay cuts for Detroit police officers. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
