The Nation - News from July 24, 1986

Detroit Mayor Coleman Young turned down a mediator’s request that he and a union president take part in bargaining talks to try to end an eight-day strike by 7,000 workers. Young said a meeting with James Glass, head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Council 25, “would generate more heat than light and would not be productive.” The walkout has left the nation’s sixth largest city without bus or garbage service. The union originally asked for 40% pay raises over three years, but later reduced the demand to 26%.