Detroit Federation of Teachers

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.

Marcus Garvey students watch solar eclipse

Marcus Garvey Students Watching the Eclipse

The solar eclipse came at the end of the school day, just in time for these Marcus Garvey students to put on their special glasses and mask to watch as the moon passed over the sun. Students across the city were doing the same. It was an astronomical event for all of us!

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 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.

WHAT'S NEW: Join President Wilson-Lumpkins for this Celebration of Women's History Month

You are invited to the Second Annual Crowning & Cultivating: Women in Leadership Colloquium. The event, celebrating Women's Month, will be held Saturday, March 25th, at 1 pm. Join us to be empowered, encouraged and loved on! Come share your stories and hear the stories of other powerful women. Come out and enjoy a transforming experience with many statewide leaders. We are pleased to announce Laura Dickerson ( UAW Region 1A Director ) as the Keynote speaker. Other speakers include Lakia Wilson Lumpkins (DFT President), The Honorable Monique Baker McCormick (Dist. 6 Wayne County Commissioner) and more. We will also celebrate the amazing life of Ruby Newbold, retired president of DAEOE Local 4168. Newbold was a true icon throughout the state of Michigan.

If you are interested, please RSVP below. Use the code "Crown" to receive 25% off any purchase.

What: Second Annual Crowning & Cultivating: Women in Leadership Colloquium

When: Saturday March 25th, 2023

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Where: Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 -17100 W 12 Mile Rd Southfield MI 48076

How: Click here to receive your discount today. Use the code "Legends" to receive 25% off your purchase.

Only 10 Vendor tables are available! No tickets sold at the door!

What unions do

In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

WHAT'S NEW: DFT Supports Right to Work Repeal in Michigan

Kudos to Vice President, Robin Jennings, for speaking on behalf of our union for repealing Right to Work in Michigan. Please share this video with your family and friends. Michigan wouldl be the first state in the country to repeal Right to Work.

MIchigan Teachers Support Repeal of Right to Work

WHAT'S NEW: LOA Reached for College Transition Advisors

DPSCD and the union have a letter of agreement for the College Transition Advisors who received lay off notices in April. We have finalized all restructuring components for those employees who held a position as a CTA with the district. All documents pertaining to options available to CTAs will also be placed on the website, under Members Only, resources tab.

Pathway Counselor
Academic Interventionist
Layoff
Severance Package

The district's director of Human Resources, Benjamin Jackson will be contact all College Transition Advisors soon for a 15-minute session where questions can be asked to assist the CTA in making the best decision. The CTA will have until Friday, June 16, 2023 to select an option.

Pathway Counselors Agreement

Restructuring Options

Severance Package

WHAT'S NEW: AFT Members Testify in Lansing

Last Thursday, Donna Jackson, President of the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals, Local 2350, Lincoln Stocks, President of the Eastpointe Federation of Educators, Local 698, Detroit Federation of Teachers, Local 231 President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins and activists Dwan McGrady and Nastassia Szpaichler offered testimony in support of HB 4044. HB 4044 repeals PA 54 which freezes any step increases, makes employees fully responsible for healthcare increases, and prohibits retroactive pay if a collective bargaining agreement expires before a new one is reached. The members effectively highlighted other issues impacting educators from the various prohibited subjects of bargaining, the privatization of support staff and the limitation of some bargaining rights for DPSCD teachers. Their testimony set the stage for a future slate of bills that will restore the rights of educators across our state and address the critical teacher shortage we are facing. We will continue to work with our allies to ensure our members can make their voices and experience heard as these bills move through the legislature.

WHAT'S NEW: 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

CLICK HERE to view the template for the 2023-2024 school year as negotiated with the school district. Highlights include:

Monday, August 21, 2023 report date for staff
Monday, August 29, 2023 first day for students
6 Professional Development Days
Friday, June 7, 2024 last day for students
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 last report date for teachers
Wednesday, June 12 through June 21, 2024 reserved for any potential make-up dates
follows Wayne RESA Common Calendar for winter, mid-winter and spring breaks