Volunteers Desperately Needed [8.1.14]

The DFT is making a desperate plea to our membership for volunteers for the August 5 primary election, specifically in support of the enhancement millage that will generate additional revenue for PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS ONLY in Wayne County, including DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
 
The passage of this millage is critical to the continued viability of DPS, and for that matter DFT.  The millage will generate up to an additional $18 million dollars each of the next six (6) years which will enable DPS to maintain and/or expand current curricular programs, preserve salaries and benefits, as well as jobs.
 
We need at least 200 volunteers to help work strategic polling places to encourage voters to support this COUNTY WIDE millage.
 
While I am certainly not pleased with many of the recent actions of DPS, and we will continue our legal remedies relative to those actions, I also know how vital the passage of this millage is to the future of our students, the stability of our district, and the members of our Union.
 
We will fight when we need to fight, but we must not sacrifice our future out of anger or spite.
 
Please attend the volunteer meeting on Saturday, August 2 at the Operating Engineers Union Hall from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
 
On Election Day food will be provided to poll worker volunteers and we can do the covering in shifts.  Details will be shared at the volunteer meeting Saturday.
PLEASE COME, PLEASE SUPPORT, and PLEASE SECURE PASSAGE OF THIS VITAL MILLAGE.
 
In Solidarity,
Keith R. Johnson, DFT President

Election Volunteer Poll Workers Orientation on Saturday [7.31.14]

Space is available at the IUOE hall for DFT members on Saturday at 11 a.m. for Pre-Election Day Poll volunteer Workers Orientation Session. The hall is located at 1550 Howard in Detroit.

HAP Overpayment [7.30.14]

DPS employees recently received a memo from Health Alliance Plan alerting them of an approximately 1.7 percent overpayment rebate going to DPS for premium payments.

The DFT office has been flooded with calls asking why the rebate is going to the employer rather than to the employees.

Given the projected amount of the rebate, if the 20 percent portion were returned to DPS employees it would amount to less than $4 per employee. DPS will use the overpayment toward preimum payments for the coming year.

In the meantime, DFT along with our sister locals in the Coalition of Unions, will continue to pursue relief via the legal remedies by law and our collective bargaining agreements because of the district's refusal to negotiate any restructuring of the health care options afforded to DPS employees.

In Solidarity,

Keith Johnson, DFT President

Call for Volunteers on Election Day [7.24.14]

The DFT is supporting the Aug. 5 millage package for the Detroit Public Schools by enlisting at least 200 of our members to work the polls on Election Day. Members will educate voters by disseminating literature and as captains monitoring polls. Please call the DFT at 313-875-3500 to be added to the list.

Aug. 5 Millage Affects Detroit Teachers [7.22.14]

The Aug. 5 millage, which will raise funds for districts in Wayne County, would raise $14.8 million for Detroit Public Schools and has been included in its budget. If the millage fails, the district will need to cut that amount from its current year budget, affecting Detroit students and staff members.

Health Care Q&A, Email to Jack Martin [7.1.14]

DFT Members:

DPS is conducting informational meetings regarding the instructional healthcare plan today, July 1, at Western International High School, and tomorrow, July 2, at Renaissance High School, and July 9 at Ronald Brown Academy. All forums begin at 4:30 p.m.

While the DFT moves forward with our challenge to this non-negotiated change to our healthcare, we encourage members to attend the forums so you can make an informed and appropriate decision on your coverage.

We also encourage you to email Emergency Manager Jack Martin at Jack.martin@detroitk12.org to express not only your displeasure with the healthcare options, but also how this will adversely affect quality of life conditions for you and your family.

We must send a message that not only is an agreement binding, but so too should be the commitment of the employer to the welfare of the employees and their families. We will not stand idly by as our contractual rights and the welfare of our families are treated as an afterthought.

In Solidarity,

Keith Johnson, DFT President

Pages