Detroit Federation of Teachers

Ivy Bailey, spouse with president and EVP

First Day Visitors

Former president, Ivy Bailey, and her husband, Dominic, a retired teacher from the district, stopped by the Union offices to wish us well. They are both enjoying retirement.

We Are One!

DFT celebrating the merger with the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals by hosting a "White Party" at its September General Membership Meeting. It was a festive event for the members.

Our Message

Solidarity means that we are stronger together, as we see on the back of the DFT t-shirts.

DFT Retirees Chapter Officers Sworn In

The officers for 231R are Victor Gibson, president, Cynthia Pearson-Matthews, Executive VP, Lois Lofton-Doniver, Social VP, Gracie Wooten, Secretary, and Mary Helen D'Angelo, treasurer.

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.