Three unions representing about 10,000 Detroit Public Schools employees have sued over a 10 percent pay cut and 20 percent contribution to health insurance imposed by the district.
Detroit Federation of Teachers President Keith Johnson tells The Detroit News the cuts are "an unprecedented power grab." Secretary's union President Ruby Newbold tells the Detroit Free Press employees will fight them any way they can.
The federal court suit seeks an injunction to block the changes, which were made under new state legislation expanding emergency financial managers' power.
The suit is against emergency financial manager Roy Roberts and state Treasurer Andy Dillon, who approved the cuts.
Roberts declines comment on the suit but says he's encouraged by the "overall attitude of the unions" in showing willingness to work with him.
