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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.

AFT with DFT at Labor Day parade

DFT Stands With AFT

DFT leaders pose with other AFT members at the Labor Day March 2025.

we're stronger together tshirts

Our Message

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

Evelyn Dejesus with Jason Posey and Lakia Wilson

AFT EVP Comes to Detroit

AFT National Executive Vice President, Evelyn DeJesus, attends Detroit's Labor Day March. She is standing here with President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins and EVP Jason Posey.

Historic Merger of DFT and DFP

Press Conference Announcing the Merger of the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals with the Detroit Federation of Teachers

The Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) and the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals (DFP) will formally announce their merger, uniting thousands of education professionals under one strong collective voice. Union leaders will outline the impact of this historic merger on Detroit’s educators, students, and families.

When: Thursday, September 11, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m.
Where:  IBEW Local 58, 1358 Abbott Street, Detroit, MI 48226, parking lot entrance is off Porter Street
Who:
  • Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins, President, Detroit Federation of Teachers
  • Terrence Martin, President, American Federation of Teachers Michigan
  • Donna Jackson, Former President, Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals
  • Other union and community leaders

DFT Reaction to Visit By Secretary of Education

Click to read the Press Release of Secretary of Education's Visit to Detroit

We are deeply disappointed in the visits from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and State Representative Matt Hall, given their ongoing support for billions of dollars in proposed cuts to the U.S. Department of Education and the overdue Michigan budget. Both President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins and Executive Vice President Jason Posey are highly concerned about the implications of reduced funding for all public schools and in particular the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Read the press release in its entirety.

DFT Retirees Sept. & Oct. Meeting Location

There is a change of location for the September and October DFT 231 Retirees Chapter meeting. The chapter will be meeting in the conference room at AFT Michigan, David Hecker Building, @ 2661 E. Jefferson, in Detroit. The time remains the same: 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.

AFT and Labor Day Parades

DFT is proud of its participation in the Labor Day Parades held around the country along with our fellow AFT locals: AFT Labor Day 2025

We are pleased that AFT National's Executive Vice President, Evelyn DeJesus, came to our city to speak to Detroit's labor union members and parade participants: AFT National EVP Address at Detroit Labor Day March

Labor Day Parade September 1, 2025

labor day parade
 

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Metro Detroit Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 1, 2025. AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus and AFT Michigan President Terrence Martin will be kicking off our program! We NEED you to turn out and show we are ready to fight and WIN for workers. We need all members to meet us at 7:30am at the corner of Sixth St. and Michigan Avenue (look for AFT Michigan flags and members in blue shirts). We will be holding a short program and distributing t-shirts before step-off. We look forward to celebrating our wins as a Labor movement.

The DFT will be marching, carrying our parade banners. The march will end at the Michigan Central Train Station 2001 15th St in Detroit. Join us in solidarity! It will be a fitting way to celebrate the 131st year that Labor Day has been a federal holiday recognizing the social and economic achievements of the American worker.

8/18/2025 Call to Action: Support the Termination Resolution in DC

call to action

Here are our current calls to action for national groups:

1 - Act in support of the bill terminating the emergency & get co-sponsors for that bill to terminate the emergency declaration (www.freedcproject.org/termination has the talking points you need).

2- Pressure the Governors of these states to not send armed national guard members to DC leveraging individuals and the largest institutions you can in those states (faith, labor, etc.) WV, OH, SC, MS, LA, AL, TN

3- Get people to fly DC flags and bang pots from 8-8:05 pm nightly so that when people ask why they can share that they are doing it until the hostile takeover of DC ends. THANK YOU!

Note: For those working on Guard communications for both Governors and Senators-- please also note that this deployment to DC will negatively impact readiness for all 54 National guards-- those guards will not be ready, for example, if a hurricane or natural disaster hits, to help.