Take Action

Get Out The Vote! The governor and lt. governor have designated this week, ahead of absentee ballots being mailed out, as Voter Preregistration Week. Click here for details.

Virtual Presidential Debate Watch Party: RSVP to join us at 8:15 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 10. We’ll have opportunities to engage with each other as well as hear from a special guest speaker, as we get ready to watch AFT-endorsed candidate Kamala Harris in this first presidential debate match-up. We will also bring back debate bingo for those who decide to stay on Zoom while watching the debate. RSVP for the debate watch party that will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10.​​

DFT Educators For Sherry Gay-Dagnogo for School Board Reception to be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at District 5, 2463 Riopelle St., Detroit 48207 ] https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dfteducatorsforsherry reception

Be on the lookout on the Take Action tab under the Actions and Events Menu bar in the red navigation bar up on top each week for volunteer opportunities for activists like you!

We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us the next two months, but like Michelle Obama told us: “If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we’ve got to pick ourselves up, throw water on our face, and what?—DO SOMETHING.”

We are riding high off the energy of the Convention. Let’s keep up the momentum—can you sign up today for a volunteer shift?

Do you want to level

It’s Labor Day, and unions continue to be at their highest favorability levels.

We know why: Unions are how we create a better life for ourselves, our families and our communities. Through our unions, we fight for the teaching and learning conditions that educators and support staff need to help students thrive, the safe staffing that healthcare workers need to help patients, and the safe working conditions that public employees need to better serve communities. Through our unions, we fight for the living wage, dignified retirement and high-quality healthcare you and your family deserve.

And we

From the AFL-CIO

This Labor Day, America’s workers are organizing and mobilizing like never before. Will you join us?

This has been a monumental year for America’s labor unions, with the signing of historic, industry-defining contracts. We’re voting to join unions at the highest rate in 15 years. Union approval is on the rise, regardless of political party. 

A new Gallup Poll shows 70% of Americans approve of unions! And it’s no mystery why: People all over the country are realizing unions are the single best tool we have to stand together against corporate greed. 

Workers know that it’s better in a union. And this Labor Day, we’re making it clear: We’re not going back. 

What will you do to make a difference? Let’s keep our momentum up and come together to support leaders who will have workers’ backs. 

Find out how to take action at betterinaunion.org. 

Our jobs, our unions and our contracts are on the line. 

It’s time to do what unions do best: organize and mobilize. Our story is the story of America’s workers. We will not let it be written by billionaires—on Labor Day or any day. 

From AFT President, Randi Weingarten:

I am still shocked and disgusted by JD Vance’s attacks against teachers and school support professionals. Fortunately, it seems to be backfiring on him, so let’s keep up the momentum.

Here are two things you can do to call out JD Vance:

1. Click here to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in support of your community’s educators.
2. Click here to record a short video to remind Donald Trump and JD Vance that their words and actions are causing real harm to kids and communities. We’ll share it on social media. You can also simply tag @aftunion in anything you post online.

I shouldn’t have to say this, because it seems obvious, but: Having children is irrelevant to whether a teacher or school support professional cares about children. This is especially hurtful as so many of our members go back to school, digging into their own pockets to pay for school supplies and welcoming kids and parents into their classrooms.

Whether or not they have kids of their own, the fact remains that educators want what children need. It’s why teachers and school support professionals across the country have given away 10 million books to students to grow their confidence in reading. It’s why they have stood up for community schools with wraparound services to address students’ academic, social, emotional and physical needs. It’s why they have implemented free breakfast and lunch programs in our schools. And it’s why they have created opportunity and pathways in healthcare and manufacturing through an expansion of career and technical education.

The difference is clear: While teachers and school support professionals are working to create real solutions for a better life, Vance and Trump are working to divide us with nasty rhetoric and dismantle public education as we know it. We need to call this out, and your perspective can help remind other voters that we have so much more in common than what the Trump-Vance ticket wants us to believe.

So please, take a few minutes to write a letter to your local newspaper or record a quick video in support of the educators in your community. It’s time to stand up to these attacks.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President

At the September Regular Board Meeting, we are asking members to let the school board and superintendent know how placement has impacted your career. Teacher Placement was a prohibited subject of bargaining since 2011. What effect has it had on your job?  You are encouraged to participate in public comment and send emails as a follow-up.

Make your views known to those in Congress and the state legislatures who represent you on the issues that affect educators, students and working families every day.  Visit the AFT's Take Action page.

$94 Million for Detroit

Use the link above to let Lansing know that the district needs its money. Three years ago the state settled the Detroit Literacy Lawsuit. A part of that settlement mandated that DPSCD would receive at least $94 million for literacy programs. That money has yet to be allocated in the state budget. HELP CHANGE THAT!  Sign this petition and have it sent to your state representative and senator. It's past time for the Governor and the lawmakers to do right by the district. It will only take a few minutes of your time. Then, share the petition link with your family and friends.