Plans to significantly downsize the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department could lead to a strike.

Union members of AFSCME Local 207 are upset over what they call “unacceptable concessions.”

Contract talks began in May and the union offered concessions, but management wants even more givebacks including the right to lay off employees and replace them with non union workers and changes to pension and health insurance.

The department wants to reduce the number of employees from almost 2,000 to about 400 in five years.

There is no time frame on it and when the union plans to strike.