Click the following Web link to hear the interview:  https://audioboom.com/posts/6158548-ivy-bailey-detroit-federation-of-teachers-president-on-the-new-three-year-deal-and-salary-raise-july-31-2017

The Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) on July 27 ratified a new contract agreement with the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).

The three-year pact calls for a 3 percent salary increase in the first year and a 4.13 percent increase in the second year. The contract also features a re-opener clause in the third year that allows both parties to negotiate wage terms. The clause states that no wages can be reduced in the third year. The pact is the first multi-year contract without concessions between the DFT and DPSCD in more than a decade.

The agreement also provides a $1,750 one-time bonus to teachers at the top of the salary scale. That bonus will to be paid in September during the upcoming 2017-18 school year. 

“I am pleased that our members have approved the agreement,” stated Ivy Bailey, DFT president. “We certainly deserve more but the package offers us the opportunity to continue building our local, move our school district forward and place students first.”

Under state law, the contract now goes to the Financial Review Commission for consideration.

DETROIT – Teachers, parents, students and supporters from across metro Detroit will be holding a rally and march for public education at Clark Park in southwest Detroit this Saturday, July 22, 2017. The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is being held as part of a national march in Washington, D.C. and 15 other cities across the country. 

"Public education is under attack across the country," said local organizer and parent Erica Foondle. "We stand with people from across the country in support of traditional public schools."  

Rallies are scheduled to occur simultaneously in cities across the

Voting on the DFT tentative contract agreement with the Detroit Public Schools Community District has been extended from Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21.

Ballots must be postmarked by that date.  Ballots will be counted on Thursday, July 27, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees headquarters, located at 115 West Willis St., Detroit, MI 48201-1809.  Members will have the opportunity to observe the ballot-counting process at that time.

Remember, if you have questions regarding our Tentative Agreement with DPSCD, please call us at 313-875-3500, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Detroit Goodfellows on June 14 announced the winner of the eighth annual Goodfellow Teacher of the Year contest — Gladys Clark, an eighth-grade teacher at Detroit Public Schools Community District’s (DPSCD) Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School! 

Detroit Goodfellows board members surprised Clark in her classroom with the news and presented her with a $200 gift card to buy classroom supplies. Additionally, she will be acknowledged at the Detroit Goodfellows Annual Tribute Breakfast this fall. 

The Goodfellows Board of Directors selected the winning teacher from nominations by DPSCD

Our Donavon Gardner and Terrence Martin talk about American's teacher shortage challenge.

CLICK TO  HERE TO WATCH http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/02/a-potential-teacher-crunch-looms.html