News | Detroit Federation of Teachers

Option to Purchase Service Credit Ending September 29, 2017

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

2017 Election Committee Member Official Results

Detroit Federation of Teachers

2017 ELECTION OF ELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

OFFICIAL ELECTIONS RESULTS

Jeffrey Wasilewski Elected to 2-Year Term
Crystal Lee Elected to 2-Year Term
Yolanda King Elected to 2-Year Term
Devette Brown Elected to 1-Year Term

DFT run-off election: Final results

The votes have been counted and the results for the office of president, vice president and recording secretary are posted. View the final counts here.

DFT passes resolution to pardon DACA immigrant youth

Read the resolution passed by the DFT on pardoning DACA immigrant youth and supporting the National Days of Action.

Resolution to Build the Movement Demand President Obama Take Action to Pardon DACA Immigrant Youth

Election results are in!

Ballots were counted on Sunday, Dec. 3 and the results are in. Click here to see full list and the calendar for run-off election.

Join the Fight for Retirement Security

Republicans in the Michigan Senate are pushing Senate Bill 102, legislation that would close the Michigan Public School Retirement System to newly hired school employees.

This attack on our pensions is being led by anti-working family interests and billionaires—including Betsy DeVos, the U.S. president-elect’s pick for Secretary of Education. DeVos and others like her believe that workers should only have access to risky 401(k)-style retirement plans. We know there will be a serious attempt made to ban traditional pensions in the public sector, and it’s a slippery slope!

AFT Michigan and MEA Presidents respond to selection of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education

LANSING — The selection of Betsy DeVos to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education is an affront to students and education professionals in Michigan, according to the leaders of Michigan’s school employee unions, the American Federation of Teachers Michigan and the Michigan Education Association.

DeVos brings no credible experience or expertise in education, but rather has pushed for the privatization and dismantling of public education at every turn. She rejects evidence, research and the experiences of front-line educators in pursuit of policy changes that only serve to profit billionaires.

“In

Affordable health care agreement for DFT members

The Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Coalition of Unions fought for and won an agreement that guarantees affordable access to quality healthcare and provides more options for school employees and their families. Read more from DFT president Ivy Bailey.

DFT Calls on the District to Guarantee Safe, Healthy Schools

In response to news of an unspecified threat targeting Detroit public schools, Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders are urging schools transition manager, Judge Steven Rhodes, to meet their obligation to ensure safe and secure environments for students and educators.

Read the letter from DFT to Judge Rhodes.

Detroit Civil Rights Lawsuit Makes National News

Check out this article in the Los Angeles Times on the class action lawsuit filed against Gov. Rick Snyder and state education officials on behalf of Detroit’s students and families. DFT leaders participated in a press conference on Sept. 13 announcing the lawsuit. Read the full article here.