It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Crystal Lee, an Executive Board Member. At the time of her passing, she was a teacher at Charles R. Drew Transition Center. She has served as an executive board member since 2020 and prior to that time, she was an Election Committee member. Crystal was elected a delegate to both state and national AFT conventions several times and served on various committees within the DFT over the years. She was a part of the School Union Committee at Drew and had previously served as its building representative.

At the December DFT General Membership Meeting she was honored with an empty chair.

Visitation is on Sunday, December 15th from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at O. H. Pye, III Funeral Home, 17600 Plymouth Road in Detroit.

Here is this month's solidarity calendar.  The feedback we have received from members has been encouraging and we can't wait to see the participation this month. We are only STRONGER together when we stand united. Send photos/videos to DFT Communications of May  events at your work location to VBonacci@dft231.com

May 2024 Solidarity Calendar​.

DFT members are engaging in Solidarity Events at their work locations. We have less than 100 days since our collective bargaining agreement expires.  Here is the calendar for April. Not only will we be showing solidarity across our union, we are also asking our members to continue to stand in solidarity with other "union shops" by providing a list of "Shop Union".

The Detroit Federation of Teachers has NOT organized a rally at the Fisher Building today. Due to extreme temperatures, Central Office has limited employees. Rallying outside of the Fisher Building will be demonstrative of a photo op. 

In the past 5 years, we have moved hourly employees to salary, restored longevity, reoccurring retention bonuses-including our retirees and long-term substitutes, MA step 15 has increased over 20%, and most recently repealed prohibited subjects by lobbying in Lansing and more! We have and will continue to push forward for competitive compensation for all. 

If members are concerned and want to move negotiations forward, you should email all of the district's elected school board members your concerns for this ongoing round of negotiations. 

We are excited that one of our own, former DFT President, Terrence Martin, has been named to succeed David Hecker as President of AFT Michigan. Martin recently stepped down as the head of this union in January 2023, a position he had held for 4 years. He became a member of Local 231 when he came to the district as a teacher in 1997. Since that time he has served as a building representative, the treasurer of the union, a labor affairs administrator, community engagement and political action coordinator, executive vice-president and then president. We wish him all the best in this new endeavor.

Take Action!

Reach out to the DPSCD School Board and let them know  we want them to meet with labor and community leaders by next Tuesday. We need each and every one of our employees. All play a crucial role in supporting our students.