Detroit Federation of Teachers

A Potential Mistake in the ESP Packet [5.14.13]

It has come to the attention of the DFT that some members may have received ESP packets that contained inaccurate information concerning the number of years of service credit a member has for use in calculating that member's pension benefit. Before considering accepting the ESP and retiring, members should check their miAccount (michigan.gov/orsmiaccount) to verify the years of service credit that the retirement system's records show. It is the retirement system that determines years of service credit -- not DPS and not EPC (the company administering the ESP).

Is the ESP Right for You? [5.8.13]

Since the Employee Severance Plan was announced on Monday, the DFT office has been flooded with hundreds of phone calls. Because the ESP had been developed in secret by DPS without any knowledge of or input by the DFT, it was difficult to answer members’ questions. Now that more information on ESP is known, it will be easier for members to decide if the ESP is right for them.

FAQs on the Buyout Plan [5.8.13]

For more information about the Employee Severance Plan, the district has put together answers to frequently asked questions. [Click here].

Update on the Buyout Plan [5.6.13]

The district's new Employee Severance Plan is a buyout plan not a retirement plan. If you are not eligible to retire and take the ESP, you will be quitting. Your pay and benefits will stop and your pension will not begin. However, if you already have another job lined up, you might consider ESP.

If you are eligible to retire and take the ESP, you will receive your pension along with the extra money from ESP. They are not connected. But if you had already planned to retire July 1, you might consider the ESP.

The union is insisting that those members who had notified the district by May 1 of their decision to retire July 1 or Aug. 1 have the choice of being included in the ESP.

-Patrick Falcusan, Retirement Counselor

New Buyout Incentive [5.6.13]

We have just learned that DPS developed a buyout plan without alerting or involving the DFT. We have had no input. If you have any questions about this plan, you should call 1-800-747-1504 or log onto www.epcinternet.com/dps.

While we support the incentive in general, we strenuously object to excluding those who announced their retirement by May 1 to be paid for their sick days. We are working diligently to get the district to reconsider this unfair and ill-advised decision. For plan details [click here].

Please Take Teacher Survey [5.2.13]

You are invited to take a survey for an important research project by Central Michigan University. Dr. Regina Umpstead (Central Michigan) and Dr. Ben Pogodzinski (Wayne State) are surveying district HR personnel and teacher union representatives throughout Michigan to understand the role labor-relations and teacher collaboration played in the development and implementation of teacher evaluation programs in districts in response to the changes in Michigan law.

The survey takes 15 minutes to complete.

Pages