Union council urges Detroit water, sewerage strikers back to work

Union leaders want striking Detroit Water and Sewerage workers to comply with a judge's order and go back on the job.

Despite the request, Michigan AFSCME Council 25 President Al Garrett says Monday in a release that the union understands "the frustration felt by the hard working men and women in the water department."

A few dozen workers went on strike Sunday in protest of plans by the city to lay off many of them and privatize some of the work. The workers belong to American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 207.

Garrett was not critical of the strikers, instead saying "the walkout is a manifestation of frustrations felt by good people doing dirty, dangerous work without the most basic tools needed to get the job done."

AFSCME Local 207 released this statement Monday evening:

"Many rumors are circulating about the strike of the Detroit Water Workers of AFSCME Local 207. The leadership of Local 207 want to make clear that they have conferred with their members and that the strike continues. All members are urged to continue to come to the picket lines at the Waste Water Treatment Plant at 9300 W. Jefferson which will continue all night with a big push at 6am tomorrow morning."