News

9/2/24 Welcome to Detroit

DETROIT—Today, leaders of the 1.8 million-member AFT embarked on a cross-country, multicity election bus tour to get out the vote and highlight the pivotal issues facing America this November.

Union members are “all in” this election season supporting candidates who support the values and actions needed to realize the promise of America; economic and educational opportunity for all; lower costs; upholding broad-based freedoms, including a women’s right to make their own healthcare decisions; and the strengthening, not diminishing, of our voice at work and in our democracy.

The AFT, which has 600

Photo of AFT President Randi Weingarten addressing TEACH 2023

The AFT has always been a solutions-driven union, and our new campaign, launched during TEACH on July 21, proves it once again with a fresh, practical approach to strengthening public education. As AFT President Randi Weingarten pointed out during her keynote speech, the $5 million, yearlong campaign, “Real Solutions for Kids and Communities,” stands up against attacks on public schools and offers real-world solutions to build up, rather than break down, our communities.

The members of the DFT wish a happy retirement to David Hecker, as he steps down from serving as President of AFT Michigan. He has held this position since 2001 and has worked with this local closely for the past 22 years.

Throughout his tenure, David has exemplified the true meaning of leadership. His vision, wisdom, and ability has assisted the DFT over the years through the numerous challenges our members have faced from the district and the state. David's exceptional ability to navigate complex circumstances and find innovative solutions has been nothing short of remarkable. He has

Randi Weingarten at a Massachusetts high school

Summer is upon us, and parents, children and teachers are winding down from what has been an exhausting and fully operational school year—the first since the devastating pandemic. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has affected our students’ and families’ well-being and ignited the politics surrounding public schools. All signs point to the coming school year unfolding with the same sound and fury, and if extremist culture warriors have their way, being even more divisive and stressful.

Randi Weingarten and NYC teacher Tamara Simpson

Attacks on public education in America by extremists and culture-war peddling politicians have reached new heights (“lows” may be more apt), but they are not new. The difference today is that the attacks are intended not just to undermine public education but to destroy it.

AFT President, Randi Weingarten, addressed the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. about the current state and the future of public education. You may watch her speech, delivered on March 28, 2023, In Defense of Public Education. She outlines four strategies can help transform our schools to realize the promise and purpose of public education.

Community Schools
Experiential Learning
Revive and Restore the Teaching Profession
Parents and Community as Partners

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.

Clarification on Paid Sick Days and Retirement for 2021

In order to be paid for sick days upon retirement at the end of this school year, eligible employees must submit a Separation from Service (SFS) form to the District's Human Resources Office no later than May 1, 2021 and retire effective July 1, 2021 (or August 1, 2021 if working during the month of July).

The SFS form is available on the District's Hub and must be emailed back to HR (hr.records@detroitk12.org) by May 1. The effective date of separation to be listed on the SFS form is June 30, 2021 (or July 31, 2021 if working during the month of July).

Eligible employees will be paid $45 for

Detroit Federation of Teachers Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Safety Strike

DETROIT – (August 19, 2020) During an emergency special meeting Wednesday, members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) voted to authorize a potential safety strike aimed at pressing the Detroit Public Schools Community District to implement basic science-based safety protocols before schools reopen during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The vote authorizes the DFT executive board to call a safety strike if the union and the school district do not reach an agreement. Members voted 91 percent in favor of authorizing a safety strike.

“Over the past few months our members have raised

Public Act 92 of 2017, which was signed into law today, discontinues the option to initiate a service credit purchase as of September 29, 2017. This change in the law has no other effect on your pension or retiree healthcare benefits, and it does not affect purchases you’ve already made or tax-deferred payment agreements you may already have in place.

If you’re planning a service credit purchase, full payment for the amount of service you wish to buy or a fully completed Tax-Deferred Payment (TDP) Agreement (R0392C) signed by both you and your employer must be received in our office by 5:00 p.m

9/2/24 Welcome to Detroit

Weingarten launches new campaign: ‘Real Solutions for Kids and Communities’

A Tribute to David Hecker

Smears vs. solutions

In defense of public education

In Defense of Public Education

What unions do

Clarification on Paid Sick Days and Retirement for 2021

Detroit Federation of Teachers Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Safety Strike

Option to Purchase Service Credit Ending September 29, 2017