Detroit Federation of Teachers

Thank You to Our Hard Working Building Reps

The DFT leadership honored our hard working building reps at our annual Building Representatives dinner recently. We recognize the dedication these folks have to the union cause and couldn't do our work without them. For more pictures of the evening, go to the News tab and scroll down to photos.

DFT Rallies at School Board Meeting

At the May DPSCD Regular School Board meeting, union members joined the community and parents and students. We are urging the school board to meet with labor and community leaders before the final 2023-2024 budget approval. Save Our Schools! Support Our Students!

DFT Leadership Attend Lobby Day in Lansing

Vice President, Robin Jennings, President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins, and Executive Vice President, Jason Posey headed to Lansing to speak to lawmakers about the importance of restoring prohibited subjects of bargaining back to negotiations, in an effort to improve working conditions of all educators.

DFT President Travels to Our Nation's Capital

DFT President, Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins, was in Washington, D.C. attending meetings with AFT National President, Randi Weingarten. Also present was Elizabeth H. Shuler, the president of the 60 unions and 12.5ed million members of the AFL-CIO. Union members around the country are concerned about the attacks on public education. We all know that excellent working conditions for teachers and staff means excellent learning conditions for our students.

DFT’s Ivy Bailey makes the case for economic dignity for educators

Detroit Federation of Teachers Interim President Ivy Bailey today addressed members of the city’s Financial Review Commission (FRC) to urge decision-makers to reward the hard work of educators with fair and competitive salaries and benefits.

DFT Delegates Attend Historic 2016 National AFT Convention

Members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers joined more than 3,000 union delegates from around the country in Minneapolis July 18-21 for the American Federation of Teachers’ biennial convention. Interim President Ivy Bailey and Executive Vice President Terrence Martin were part of a delegation of 10 DFT members attending the national gathering.

DFT on Gov. Snyder’s Decision to Appeal Teacher Pay Ruling

DETROIT—Statement by Ivy Bailey, interim president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, on Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to appeal Court of Appeals ruling on teacher pay:

“When an attorney general refuses to assist a governor in an appeal, you know something’s wrong. Gov. Snyder refuses to return money taken illegally from school employees without any guarantee they would receive retirement health benefits. Some school employees are owed thousands of dollars—no small amount of money. Add this to the list of Snyder’s disrespectful actions, insults and attacks against educators. It’s unconscionable that he would waste taxpayers’ money defending an unconstitutional law.”

July 5, 2016

Detroit Teacher: Special end-of-year issue

Check out the special end-of-year DFT newsletter. Read all about:

The DFT Member Spotlight, featuring Cass Tech's Tony Award winner, Marilyn McCormick, and Thirkel Elementary's Mitzi Davis
How to stay engaged with the union over the summer
Updates on contract negotiations, school board elections and Michigan House races
How you can join a delegation of DFT members to participate in a Save Our Schools rally on July 8 in Washington, D.C.
Much more!

Click here to read this special edition of Detroit Teacher!

In unity,
Ivy Bailey

P.S. Show that you’re “still committed” to ensuring a strong voice for educators by signing up for alternative dues collection now!

DFT teacher honored at Tony Awards

Detroit's own Cass Tech Drama Teacher, Marilyn McCormick, was honored on June 12 at the 70th Annual Tony Awards in New York City. Marilyn received this year's Excellence in Theatre Education Award. The annual award, sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University, recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has "demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession."

Resources to host a "Labor & Education in the Pulpit" Event

Interested in hosting a "Labor & Education in the Pulpit" event? This resource contains a flyer you can use and the feedback forms to let us know how it went.

Here's the Flyer!

ARE YOU "STILL COMMITTED"?