The Detroit Federation of Teachers has NOT organized a rally at the Fisher Building today. Due to extreme temperatures, Central Office has limited employees. Rallying outside of the Fisher Building will be demonstrative of a photo op. 

In the past 5 years, we have moved hourly employees to salary, restored longevity, reoccurring retention bonuses-including our retirees and long-term substitutes, MA step 15 has increased over 20%, and most recently repealed prohibited subjects by lobbying in Lansing and more! We have and will continue to push forward for competitive compensation for all. 

If members are concerned and want to move negotiations forward, you should email all of the district's elected school board members your concerns for this ongoing round of negotiations. 

We are excited that one of our own, former DFT President, Terrence Martin, has been named to succeed David Hecker as President of AFT Michigan. Martin recently stepped down as the head of this union in January 2023, a position he had held for 4 years. He became a member of Local 231 when he came to the district as a teacher in 1997. Since that time he has served as a building representative, the treasurer of the union, a labor affairs administrator, community engagement and political action coordinator, executive vice-president and then president. We wish him all the best in this new endeavor.

Please check this link for details of Summer School 2023. The LOA speaks to Program Schedules, Wages, Staff Requirements and Class Size. https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/094/570/original/2022-2023_DFT_LOA_Summer_School.pdf

We are disappointed with the United States Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action, but we are not disheartened. Affirmative action is a policy that aims to address historical inequalities and promote diversity by providing preferential treatment or opportunities to underrepresented groups. Today’s decision is a step in the wrong direction to make the United States a more perfect union. This country has to reckon with its past and the Detroit Federation of Teachers has always held a commitment to fighting for educational diversity which aligns with the principles behind affirmative action. We believe that there is no better place for all voices to be heard and experiences to be shared than this nation's classrooms. We must not forget that education is the great equalizer and cannot allow it to be erased with the swipe of a pen.

We urge you to read today’s Supreme Court decision, particularly Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissent, which begins on page 209.

https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/094/155/original/Students_for_Fair_Admissions__Inc._v._President_and_Fellows_of_Harvard_College_(20-1199).pdf

It was a victory, not only for educators across Michigan, but our own DFT members who were new hires after 2019. They have been able to get back the right to negotiate salary, along with all other bargaining unit members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers. We wish to express our thanks and appreciation to all union members, not just from our local, but across the state, for banding together to return the Educator Voice to us. 

DPSCD and the union have a letter of agreement for the College Transition Advisors who received lay off notices in April. We have finalized all restructuring components for those employees who held a position as a CTA with the district. All documents pertaining to options available to CTAs will also be placed on the website, under Members Only, resources tab.

• Pathway Counselor
• Academic Interventionist
• Layoff
• Severance Package

The district's director of Human Resources, Benjamin Jackson will  be contact all College Transition Advisors soon for a 15-minute session where questions can be asked to assist the CTA  in making the best decision. The CTA will have until Friday, June 16, 2023 to select an option. 

Pathway Counselors Agreement

Restructuring Options

Severance Package

CLICK HERE to view the template for the 2023-2024 school year as negotiated with the school district. Highlights include:

• Monday, August 21, 2023 report date for staff
• Monday, August 29, 2023 first day for students
• 6 Professional Development Days
• Friday, June 7, 2024 last day for students
• Tuesday, June 11, 2024 last report date for teachers
• Wednesday, June 12 through June 21, 2024 reserved for any potential make-up dates
• follows Wayne RESA Common Calendar for winter, mid-winter and spring breaks