Hundreds Of Detroit City Workers Could Soon See Pay Raises

DETROIT — Hundreds of Detroit city workers could soon see a pay raise.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield said Monday part of her first proposed budget will be to increase city workers' wages to a minimum of $21.45 per hour, $44,500 per year.

Sheffield's budget proposal will have to be approved by city council. The first vote could come in early April.

She said the plan will provide full-time workers a livable wage to cover necessities, such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and taxes without requiring public assistance.

"Detroit can’t say it is taking poverty reduction seriously as long as it is not paying a significant number of its employees a livable wage," Sheffield said. "It has been because of the hard work of our city employees that our financial position is much stronger and as mayor, if feel deeply that it would be morally wrong to pay these employees anything less than a livable wage. This is an urgent priority."

Sheffield signed an executive order Monday requiring HR Director Denise Starr to put together a report detailing every full-time position currently being paid less than $21.45 per hour.

With that information, the necessary salary increases will be reflected in every eligible city employee’s paycheck beginning the first full pay period in July, which coincides with the start of the new fiscal year.

The study will also include what percentage of current city employees are Detroit residents, though officials believe nearly 70 percent of employees who would benefit live in Detroit.

Roughly 900 workers could see a wage boost, with some earning up to $5 an hour more, officials said.

The report is due in the next 60 days.

"The City of Detroit is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining brilliant talent in order to provide exceptional services for the City, its residents, visitors, and businesses alike," Sheffield said in the order. "To uphold this commitment, it is critical that each City employee earn a living wage."