Michigan Welfare Rights Organization

Linking up the struggles!                                        

                                       "You get what you are organized to take!"

AFSCME Pickets with the Community

NO LAYOFFS!  NO SERVICE CUTS!  NO WATER SHUT OFFS!  NO TAKE OVER!

On Tuesday, March 21st, over a hundred AFSCME 207 & 2920 union and community residents picketed the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to protest the proposed layoffs and cuts by DWSD Director Victor Mercado and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. What also prompted many to come out was the recent story in the Detroit News about the Mayor's scheme to cut union jobs and ask a federal judge for millions of dollars to hire outside contractors, including an $8 million contract for his jail bird friend! However, the DWSD is NOT part of the general fund and is funded by rate payers. These cuts make no sense, especially when the City Council just voted to increase rates to improve the system! The layoffs will result in further contracting out jobs, privatizing the system--and making it more difficult for low-income families to afford water! Call your City Council members and the Mayor, and tell them your do not support these jobs cuts AND to implement the MWRO Water Affordability Program. (photos courtesy AFSCME 207/2920)

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