Awrey Bakery, 102, Might Close Over Pay-Cut Battle

One of Metro Detroit's oldest businesses  might close after workers on Wednesday voted down a contract proposal for the second time this week.

About 150 union workers at the 102-year-old Awrey Bakeries Inc. rejected a take-it-or-leave-it offer by a 73-63 vote, said Brian Corrigan, steward for the United Distributive Workers Union, Council 30.

Workers were told not to show up for work today. But it is not clear if the rejected proposal spells the end for Livonia-based Awrey, which is known for its cakes, cheesecakes, fruit squares and gourmet specialty desserts.

The bakery and union are at odds over a proposal that would cut employee pay by $2 an hour, lay off 26 workers and consolidate two work shifts into one.