Last Thursday, Donna Jackson, President of the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals, Local  2350, Lincoln Stocks, President of the Eastpointe Federation of Educators, Local 698, Detroit Federation of Teachers, Local 231 President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins and activists Dwan McGrady and Nastassia Szpaichler offered testimony in support of HB 4044. HB 4044 repeals PA 54 which freezes any step increases, makes employees fully responsible for healthcare increases, and prohibits retroactive pay if a collective bargaining agreement expires before a new one is reached. The members effectively highlighted other issues impacting educators from the various prohibited subjects of bargaining, the privatization of support staff and the limitation of some bargaining rights for DPSCD teachers. Their testimony set the stage for a future slate of bills that will restore the rights of educators across our state and address the critical teacher shortage we are facing. We will continue to work with our allies to ensure our members can make their voices and experience heard as these bills move through the legislature. 

The Detroit Federation of Teachers is expressing condolences to the family of retired Labor Relations Administrator, Marvin Green. Brother Green served in the office as an LRA for many years, under the administrations of John Elliott, Janna Garrison and Virginia Cantrell.

Keith Johnson, former president of the Union, states that he was so saddened to learn that his former colleague passed away back in January. Marvin served more than 20 years as a Labor Relations Administrator for the DFT.

When I came to the DFT office in 1993, Marvin was an invaluable asset to me in learning how to serve our members. Marvin didn't really say much, but he was acutely aware of members rights under the CBA, and was vigilant and diligent in the enforcement of their rights. Marvin was the most organized person in the office.  You never saw his desk cluttered, and his file drawers were immaculately structured; organized either alphabetically or chronologically.  A place for everything, and everything in its place. It was always humorous to me that when I became Director of Operations, how Marvin would come to me to ask how he should proceed on an issue, not because of my knowledge but because of my.position. Marvin was a dedicated Unionist; passionate about education, passionate about the teaching profession, and passionate about his Union. DFT members past and present should be thankful for the service rendered by Marvin L. Green.

Rest in peace my friend and Union brother.

Patrick Falcusan, Retirement Counselor, had this to say about his colleague: When I was new to the Union many years ago, Marvin would offer me advice on how to accomplish some of the tasks that then President John Elliott would assign me.  Marvin would urge me not to attempt too many tasks at once and then end up not doing any of them well.  Rather, he said, I should  concentrate on the really important tasks, but do all of them very well.  Marvin was also my go-to person when there were parts of the Contract that I did not quite understand.  Marvin would take the time to explain the Contract language to me--and answer other union-related questions.  Sometimes I am able to pass along some of his answers when unit members call me with the same questions these many years later."  

Here is his obituary: Marvin L. Green Obituary.  His memorial service will be in Hastings, Michigan on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

The DFT Election Committee has announced the Spring 2024 election for four (4) election committee members, ten (10) delegates to the AFT Michigan Convention and ten (10) delegates to the AFT National Convention. The election committee spots are full two year terms (April 2024-March 2026).  There are separate calendars for the Election Committee election and the delegates election. The

Here are the documents embedded in the above article.

• 2024 Election Committee Election Calendar
• 2024 Delegates Election Calendar
• 2024 Election Committee Guidelines document
• 2024 Delegate Election Instructions
• 2024-2026 Election Committee Nomination Form
• 2024 Delegates to the Convention Nomination Form
  

Please check this link for details of Summer School 2023. The LOA speaks to Program Schedules, Wages, Staff Requirements and Class Size. https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/094/570/original/2022-2023_DFT_LOA_Summer_School.pdf

We are disappointed with the United States Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action, but we are not disheartened. Affirmative action is a policy that aims to address historical inequalities and promote diversity by providing preferential treatment or opportunities to underrepresented groups. Today’s decision is a step in the wrong direction to make the United States a more perfect union. This country has to reckon with its past and the Detroit Federation of Teachers has always held a commitment to fighting for educational diversity which aligns with the principles behind affirmative action. We believe that there is no better place for all voices to be heard and experiences to be shared than this nation's classrooms. We must not forget that education is the great equalizer and cannot allow it to be erased with the swipe of a pen.

We urge you to read today’s Supreme Court decision, particularly Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissent, which begins on page 209.

https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/094/155/original/Students_for_Fair_Admissions__Inc._v._President_and_Fellows_of_Harvard_College_(20-1199).pdf