News | Detroit Federation of Teachers

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.

FRC Approves New Contract Agreement

We are pleased to announce that the members of the Financial Review Commission voted unanimously to approve our newly ratified collective bargaining agreement. The approval vote, which came during the FRC’s meeting today, affirms that the new agreement—while not perfect—puts our school district on the right track, provides needed stability for students and creates a path for us to achieve even more gains for educators.

Members Ratify New Contract Agreement

The Detroit Federation of Teachers has voted to ratify a new contract agreement. While the contract is far from perfect, the ratification is a significant step in the right direction for our members and our school district. Our fight forward begins now.

Fighting for what we deserve

Why Health Insurance Isn't Done Yet

Know before you vote!

The new tentative agreement between the Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Detroit Public Schools Community District is the result of a negotiations process that concluded on Monday, Sept. 5. Before the agreement can take effect, DFT members will vote in a secret ballot election to ratify the new deal.

Before you vote, consider these five critical facts.

Trade Unionists Around the Country Stand with Detroit Educators

All members of the A. Philip Randolph Institute Board of Directors and more than 200 of the organization’s members signed on to a statement of support for educators in Detroit and urged the school district to bargain a fair contract agreement. Read the full statement.

DFT’s Ivy Bailey makes the case for economic dignity for educators

Detroit Federation of Teachers Interim President Ivy Bailey today addressed members of the city’s Financial Review Commission (FRC) to urge decision-makers to reward the hard work of educators with fair and competitive salaries and benefits.

DFT Delegates Attend Historic 2016 National AFT Convention

Members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers joined more than 3,000 union delegates from around the country in Minneapolis July 18-21 for the American Federation of Teachers’ biennial convention. Interim President Ivy Bailey and Executive Vice President Terrence Martin were part of a delegation of 10 DFT members attending the national gathering.

Questions Regarding W2 Forms

Each year questions are asked about what seem to be discrepancies on members' W2s--specifically the amount shown in Box 1 (Wages) being too low.

The amount shown in Box 1 only reflects wages that are subject to federal, state and city taxes. Some wages are not subject to taxes and are not shown. Such items as TSAs, TDPs, MIP, Basic 4, Pension Plus, Section 125s, healthcare premiums etc. are not subject to taxes.

If a member made $65,000, but put $10,000 annually into her TSA, then Box 1 would only show $55,000 in taxable wages. If another member made $65,000, but put a combined $25,000 annually