In what some say is a first in city-employee relations, Detroit officials are working with the city’s four public safety unions to hammer out a new health care plan for police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
In the past, the city dictated which health care options were available to first responders, but Mayor Mike Duggan agreed to let the four union heads have input as the city decides which plan to adopt. The parties have been meeting every two weeks since January to come up with a plan that will cover members in 2018.
“For the first time in the history of unions and the city, we’re working together on one side of the table to put a plan together that best serves our public safety employees,” Detroit Firefighters Association President Mike Nevin said. “That’s huge. When all sides come together as adults, instead of insulting each other, a lot can get accomplished.”