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DFT President with Ingram, Care Moore, Morgan

Reading Opens the World Features Honored Guests

Detroit was ecstatic to have these three people participate in our book giveaway. AFT National Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick C. Ingram welcomed families and educators to Reading Opens the World.  He announced that in May the organization will have given away 10 million books for free. We are thrilled to have had a hand in distributing 50,000 of those books. Poet Jessica Care Moore read one of her poems, I used to be a roller coaster girl and author Ellen A. Morgan, Ed. D read her book, Ellie’s Formal Table. They are standing with President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins. 
Election Committee

Election Committee is Sworn In

Four Election Committee members were sworn in at the April General Membership Meeting. Serving a two year term will be Onza Stokes, Laura Watts, Devette Brown and Julia Hunko. We thank these members for their service to the members of the DFT. Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, looks on.  Be sure to say hello to Election Committee when you sign in at the May General Membership meeting.
Posey, Wilson-Lumpkins, Weiss, Martin at town hall

DFT Leadership Participates in Town Hall Meeting

At a town hall hosted by State Representative, Regina Weiss, three of our leaders attended the forum: DFT Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, DFT President, Lakia Wilson-Lunmpkins, and AFT Michigan President, Terrence Martin. Many union members were in attendance to listen to the information.
US Senate Candidate Hil Harper

US Senate Candidate Addresses the Membership

.A candidate for the US Senate from Michigan, Hil Harper, came before the DFT General Membership meeting in April to ask for an endorsement by the union. He spoke to members about his support for unions, being a card-carrying member of one himself, as well as the reasons he would like our support in the upcoming August primary. The union will be hosting other candidates who are also seeking our endorsements. 

Election results are in!

Ballots were counted on Sunday, Dec. 3 and the results are in. Click here to see full list and the calendar for run-off election.

Join the Fight for Retirement Security

Republicans in the Michigan Senate are pushing Senate Bill 102, legislation that would close the Michigan Public School Retirement System to newly hired school employees.
 
This attack on our pensions is being led by anti-working family interests and billionaires—including Betsy DeVos, the U.S. president-elect’s pick for Secretary of Education. DeVos and others like her believe that workers should only have access to risky 401(k)-style retirement plans. We know there will be a serious attempt made to ban traditional pensions in the public sector, and it’s a slippery slope!

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AFT Michigan and MEA Presidents respond to selection of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education

LANSING — The selection of Betsy DeVos to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education is an affront to students and education professionals in Michigan, according to the leaders of Michigan’s school employee unions, the American Federation of Teachers Michigan and the Michigan Education Association. 

DeVos brings no credible experience or expertise in education, but rather has pushed for the privatization and dismantling of public education at every turn. She rejects evidence, research and the experiences of front-line educators in pursuit of policy changes that only serve to profit billionaires.

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The Detroit Teacher: Special election edition

It's here! The November issue of The Detroit Teacher is a special election edition.

 
ATTENTION!!!!
Any dues paying member who does not receive a ballot by Friday, November 18, 2016 should contact Barbara Downey at (313) 875-3500.
 

Affordable health care agreement for DFT members

The Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Coalition of Unions fought for and won an agreement that guarantees affordable access to quality healthcare and provides more options for school employees and their families. Read more from DFT president Ivy Bailey.

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DFT Calls on the District to Guarantee Safe, Healthy Schools

In response to news of an unspecified threat targeting Detroit public schools, Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders are urging schools transition manager, Judge Steven Rhodes, to meet their obligation to ensure safe and secure environments for students and educators.