DETROIT – John Riehl, longtime president of AFSCME Local 207, died Saturday night. He was 63.
The union released a statement saying "Detroit and the labor movement has lost a great and uncommon leader."
Riehl died at home and was in declining health for the past few years according to Michael Mulholland of AFSCME Local 207.
Riehl worked at the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant for 34 years where he served as an elected union steward for AFSCME Local 207 which represented Detroit Water & Sewage Department workers.
Riehl served as the elected president of AFSCME Local 207 from 2001 through 2012.
Defying a federal court order, Riehl led a strike of Local 207 in the fall of 2012 when Detroit faced a takeover by the emergency manager.
Riehl is survived by his wife.
Funeral arrangements will be announced.