Detroit Papers Reject Union Proposals

Managers of the city’s two striking newspapers rejected the latest offer from six unions and said they were not optimistic about reaching an agreement unless the unions budged.

“Since the strike started on July 13, we have had 45 negotiation sessions, but we’ve seen no new proposals that are any more realistic than the previous ones,” said a letter, released Monday, from two top labor officials for Detroit Newspapers.

Roger Kerson, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Council of Newspaper Unions, said it appears to be the same response offered soon after the unions’ last contract proposal on Oct. 5.

“We prefer not to slam any doors but to open doors in any process possible,” he said. “Our position is let’s try every avenue available.”