Detroit Federation of Teachers

Entire UTR Slate Reelected

Congratulations to United for Teacher Rights on their reelection to the DFT leadership team. President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins is being returned for a second term. The term of office will begin in January 2025 and will be for two years.

Deputy Mayor meets with students and Leaders pose for pictures

Microprocessing Coming to DPSCD

Southeastern HS tour: left: Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison with Randi Weingarten as students explain thier drawing plans for a pizza manufacturing plant, right: Bettison stands with Deputy Supt. Alycia Meriweather, Neera Tanden, of the White House Domestic Policy Council, and Weingarten as the partnership is discussed

Having Fun While Learning

President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins took on the role of administrator as building reps practiced holding conversations with principals and union members.

Retirees Get Information about AgeWays

The retirees chapter of the DFT listen as Alex Harrison, of AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services, explains how the agency helps people access the services and programs they need to remain living independently and with dignity in their own home or with family caregivers.

WHAT'S NEW: Tentative Agreement Is Ratified

We have concluded the ratification vote of the tentative agreement.

YES: 1121

NO: 406

The negotiating team of President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins, Executive Vice President Jason Posey, Labor Affairs Administrator, Karin Whittler, Retirement Counselor/Financial Analyst, Patrick Falcusan and Atttorney, Marshall Widick sincerely appreciate the vote of confidence that has been given by our members in ratifying this agreement.

What unions do

In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

WHAT'S NEW: DFT Supports Right to Work Repeal in Michigan

Kudos to Vice President, Robin Jennings, for speaking on behalf of our union for repealing Right to Work in Michigan. Please share this video with your family and friends. Michigan wouldl be the first state in the country to repeal Right to Work.

MIchigan Teachers Support Repeal of Right to Work

We Have a Tentaive Agreement, Members Will Receive Email About special Informational meeting

The Detroit Public Schools Community District and the Detroit Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 231, are pleased to announce that they have entered into a tentative agreement for a successor collective bargaining agreement for the 2023-24 school year. The DFT Executive Board went into special session this evening and unanimously agreed to present the tentative agreement to the membership for a ratification vote. All DFT bargaining unit members are expected to report to work, tomorrow, August 21, 2023 at the start of your work day.

According to the Constitution and By-laws of the union, only members who are in good standing may cast a ballot on the tentative agreement.

WHAT'S NEW: LOA Reached for College Transition Advisors

DPSCD and the union have a letter of agreement for the College Transition Advisors who received lay off notices in April. We have finalized all restructuring components for those employees who held a position as a CTA with the district. All documents pertaining to options available to CTAs will also be placed on the website, under Members Only, resources tab.

Pathway Counselor
Academic Interventionist
Layoff
Severance Package

The district's director of Human Resources, Benjamin Jackson will be contact all College Transition Advisors soon for a 15-minute session where questions can be asked to assist the CTA in making the best decision. The CTA will have until Friday, June 16, 2023 to select an option.

Pathway Counselors Agreement

Restructuring Options

Severance Package

WHAT'S NEW: DFT Attends State Federation Leadership Summit

The DFT participated in the annual AFT Michigan Leadership Summit at the University of Michigan-Dearborn last weekend. Treasurer Rodney Fresh, EVP Jason Posey, President Lakia Wilson and Executive Board Member, Marcus Walton, were joined by Eva Coleman, president of the Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (ACTA). The summit focused on three areas: collective bargaining, organizing, and legislative strategies for the year ahead.