Unions angry that Detroit is trying to mend its financially-battered books by laying off hundreds of workers and imposing steep contract concessions on those who remain are considering an illegal strike.

The city of Detroit could move to avoid a state-appointed emergency manager and craft a deal with the state to guide its troubled finances as early as Wednesday.

Municipal union workers say they've been backed into a corner by the consent deal that would nullify recently ratified pay, benefits and pension concessions.

Proposed cuts to pension payouts and health care would save Detroit about $120 million annually over four years and help leave the city with a budget surplus of $89 million, according to Mayor Dave Bing's deficit elimination plan.