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.

DPSCD and DFT 2020-2021 Tentative Agreement

Please click the following links to review the 2020-2021 Tentative Agreement (TA) with the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

It comes with great sadness that I report that John Elliott, former Detroit Federation of Teachers president, has died. He led our local from 1981 to 2001 and holds the distinction of being the first African American to serve in the post.

Brother Elliott’s career as a Detroit Public Schools teacher began in 1961. He rose through the ranks as a DFT member, a union administrative assistant in 1966, and as an executive board member and executive vice president, beginning in 1968. In 1987, he was elected to serve as Michigan AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, making him the first African American to hold

2019-2020 Tentative Agreement Wage Reopener

2019-2020 Tentative Agreement and Wage Reopener

January 2021 Executive Board Meeting Agenda

Please click the link, DFT January 2021 General Membership Meeting Agenda, to review and download the agenda for the January 14, 2021 Executive Board Meeting..

The leadership team of the DFT, Officers, Executive Board Members and Trustees, recently participated in a retreat. Wearing "red for ed" is one way they demonstrated our union solidarity. The participants went over the roles, responsibilities and expectations of serving as leaders of the union.

WHAT'S NEW: Official List for Executive Board Vacancy and Election Committee

From the DFT Election Committee, here is the official list of candidates for the upcoming election of one (1) Executive Board member and three (3) Election Committee members. It is possible more names will be added to the list once the grievance process, as outlined in the 2023 Calendar is completed.

Executive Board (one vacancy)

Gavin Buckley
Stephen Conn
Rachele Green
Kwesi Matthews
Kimberly L. Mitchell

Election Committee (three vacancies)

Cheryl Constantino
Hope Gibson
Theodosia Gulley
Tamika Merchant
Jacqueline Robinson
Queen Watkins