It was a victory, not only for educators across Michigan, but our own DFT members who were new hires after 2019. They have been able to get back the right to negotiate salary, along with all other bargaining unit members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers. We wish to express our thanks and appreciation to all union members, not just from our local, but across the state, for banding together to return the Educator Voice to us. 

 Please read this letter of agreement regarding stipends for coaches for the United Special Olympics.

We are pleased to announce that the Detroit Public Schools Community District has accepted the tentative agreement that the members passed.  The  board vote was unanimous. This two year agreement includes pay increases; restoring what were prohibited subjects of bargaining such as seniority, layoff and recall, transfers, evaluation and discipline; respectful working conditions such as restroom access, nursing mothers, and recess; and payroll-deducted union dues. Read the entire document here: DPSCD-DFT Agreement for 2024-2026.  It is also posted under our key documents tab, under the membership dropdown menu. 

State Representative Regina Weiss is a former teacher with DPSCD. She is in her second term as a state lawmaker. Also attending will be former DFT President, Terrence Martin, who is now the President of AFT Michigan. Please register for the town hall at this link: https://txt.so/hgjMdy.

The DFT Election Committee has announced the following names of candidates for the upcoming Spring 2024 Elections.

Eligible Nominees for the Election Committee

1. Devette Brown
2. Julia Hunko
3. Onza Stokes
4. Laura Watt

Eligible Nominees for Delegates to the 2024 AFT Michigan and National Convention

1. Devette Brown
2. Cassandra Davis
3. Tracie Diggins
4. Mark Duffy
5. Regina Fuqua
6. Julia Hunko
7. Yolanda King
8. Tamika Merchant
9. Carol Pierce
10. Andrea Raiford

At the September DPSCD Regular Board Meeting, school board members voted to approve the tentative agreement which was ratified by members late last month. President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins and the negotiating team are excited about the 6% raise that bargaining unit members will receive, which is the largest increase in salary in 34 years. Other highlights of the agreement include

• Teachers with 15 years or more of experience will get a longevity bonus of $4,500. Teachers with less than 15 years of experience are to receive a $2,000 retention bonus.
• Ancillary Staff will receive a $2,000 bonus.
• All full-time DFT members are to receive a $2,000 bonus in November, while part-time members are to get a $1,000 bonus, in addition to the longevity and retention bonuses.
• All new hires will be on the salary schedule.

Read the entire document of the tentative agreement here: https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/096/060/original/DFT-DPSCD_2023-2024_Ratification_Packet_8.21.23_corrected.pdf