Short-Term Agreement Reached To Protect City Of Detroit Workers And Retirees' Health Care

DETROIT (WWJ) - The city of Detroit and its retirees were able to reach an agreement over health care benefits Friday - but that settlement comes with a big limitation according to attorney for the pensioners Ryan Plecha.

"This resolves health care benefits, it's only for 2014," said Plecha. "It does not address 2015 and beyond nor does it address any claims pending prior to 2014."

Plecha says he feels the next step should be to focus efforts "on preserving the pensions that we believe are protected by the Michigan Constitution in addition to negotiating benefits for 2015 and beyond."

Spokesmen on both sides said the deal will go a long way to preventing future lawsuits.

This compromise will still have to be approved in bankruptcy court on Monday.