| Detroit Federation of Teachers

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.

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.

Read the letter from DFT to Judge Rhodes.

Detroit Civil Rights Lawsuit Makes National News

Check out this article in the Los Angeles Times on the class action lawsuit filed against Gov. Rick Snyder and state education officials on behalf of Detroit’s students and families. DFT leaders participated in a press conference on Sept. 13 announcing the lawsuit. Read the full article here.

Members Ratify New Contract Agreement

The Detroit Federation of Teachers has voted to ratify a new contract agreement. While the contract is far from perfect, the ratification is a significant step in the right direction for our members and our school district. Our fight forward begins now.

AFT Leaders on the Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Concerning Detroit Schools

Statements from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, AFT Michigan President David Hecker and Detroit Federation of Teachers Interim President Ivy Bailey on today’s unprecedented federal civil rights lawsuit against Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan State Board of Education, charging that the state is violating the U.S. Constitution by not providing students with their fundamental right of access to literacy skills and interventions.

Trade Unionists Around the Country Stand with Detroit Educators

All members of the A. Philip Randolph Institute Board of Directors and more than 200 of the organization’s members signed on to a statement of support for educators in Detroit and urged the school district to bargain a fair contract agreement. Read the full statement.

Detroit Federation of Teachers on the $12 Million EAA Bailout in Education Legislation for Detroit

A statement from Detroit Federation of Teachers Interim President Ivy Bailey on the report that a $12 million, never-before-publicized bailout of the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan was slipped into the $617 million Detroit Public Schools bills package. MORE

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

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