| Detroit Federation of Teachers

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.

AFT Leaders on the Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Concerning Detroit Schools

Statements from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, AFT Michigan President David Hecker and Detroit Federation of Teachers Interim President Ivy Bailey on today’s unprecedented federal civil rights lawsuit against Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan State Board of Education, charging that the state is violating the U.S. Constitution by not providing students with their fundamental right of access to literacy skills and interventions.

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.

Detroit Federation of Teachers on the $12 Million EAA Bailout in Education Legislation for Detroit

A statement from Detroit Federation of Teachers Interim President Ivy Bailey on the report that a $12 million, never-before-publicized bailout of the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan was slipped into the $617 million Detroit Public Schools bills package. MORE

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.

DFT on Gov. Snyder’s Decision to Appeal Teacher Pay Ruling

DETROIT—Statement by Ivy Bailey, interim president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, on Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to appeal Court of Appeals ruling on teacher pay:

“When an attorney general refuses to assist a governor in an appeal, you know something’s wrong. Gov. Snyder refuses to return money taken illegally from school employees without any guarantee they would receive retirement health benefits. Some school employees are owed thousands of dollars—no small amount of money. Add this to the list of Snyder’s disrespectful actions, insults and attacks against educators. It’s unconscionable that he would waste taxpayers’ money defending an unconstitutional law.”

July 5, 2016

DFT teacher honored at Tony Awards

Detroit's own Cass Tech Drama Teacher, Marilyn McCormick, was honored on June 12 at the 70th Annual Tony Awards in New York City. Marilyn received this year's Excellence in Theatre Education Award. The annual award, sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University, recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has "demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession."

Resources to host a "Labor & Education in the Pulpit" Event

Interested in hosting a "Labor & Education in the Pulpit" event? This resource contains a flyer you can use and the feedback forms to let us know how it went.

Here's the Flyer!

DFT Fights Back: Legislative Actions, June 3- June 8

Description. Now is time for us to turn anger into action. I am asking you to join us this weekend and over the coming weeks to fight for the schools our kids deserve. Will you sign up to join us in this fight? Phone bank for an hour. Sign up for a community walk. Speak at your church. Or distribute information in your community. Sign up for phone banking and neighborhood walks here.

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