Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This is what happens when we stand together to say, “Enough is enough.”
Over the past year, we have tried repeatedly to get the district to move on a number of demands. Unfortunately, those demands had gone unheeded. During a meeting just last Friday with DFT leaders, DPS representatives told us Emergency Manager Darnell Earley would meet with teachers to hear our concerns. Once again, we urged Mr. Earley to take immediate action on some of the demands as a show of good faith. We are pleased to inform you that the district has agreed to three demands, including:
- Limiting the weekly staff meetings to one hour;
- Complying with the current collective bargaining language on sick leave accrual, which means sick leave is accrued all at once; and
- Establishing a joint labor-management committee to work on issues related to curriculum.
We have signed a letter of agreement [download here] with the district, and copies will be posted in your schools and on the DFT website today.
There are so many critical issues that we must take on in this fight for better schools and working conditions. In addition to working for better physical conditions and adequate resources in schools and classrooms, we also know we must address the very real concerns teachers have—like the 10-percent pay cut, pay steps that have been frozen for six years and salaries that have been stagnant for 10 years. And these are just a few of so many more important issues.
Make no mistake: we understand that this is only a first step. But we are committed to the fight to win the schools our students need and the respect and pay teachers deserve. The only way to win that fight is to stand together, united as one, powerful union.
When we unite and stand together, we can move from small breakthroughs to great victories.
In unity,
Ann Mitchell, AFT Administrator for DFT
Ivy Bailey, DFT Interim President