Detroit's emergency manager says contracts will end with 2 of city's biggest unions

DETROIT – Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has notified two of the city's biggest unions that their contracts will end when they expire in 10 days.

Orr's spokesman, Bill Nowling, told Local 4 letters have been sent to the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association as well as AFSCME Council 25. Nowling said the notification is routine, required under the contracts and that there will be no immediate changes in pay or benefits to workers.

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Nowling said the next step will be for the city to issue a Certificate of Employment Terms. He wasn't sure when that would happen because of the ongoing restructuring in the city.

"How do you say you are concerned about police and fire and want to make things better for them, then refuse to bargain," said Greg Bowens, spokesman for AFSCME Council 25. 

"That doesn't sound like you are trying to make things better for police and fire, it sounds like he is about to drop the ax on them," said  Bowens.Â