Brothers and Sisters,
These are in troubling times for our unions thanks to: An Emergency Manager who has been with the Detroit Public Schools for over a decade, the so-called “Right to Work” law that further chips away at our ability to collectively bargain, and the constant and relentless attacks on our profession. These are only a few of the setbacks we’ve endured.
However, I remain hopeful. I often talk to my colleagues in other unions. They tell me they’re committed to the education of children in Detroit. They also tell me they believe in their union and our collective voice.
In the face of setbacks, the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals (DFP), Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) and Detroit Association of Education Office Employees (DAEOE), collectively named AFT-Detroit, have come together as a collective voice to not only push back but push forward.
Please take this survey. Click on this link to take survey.
A few of our shared actions include:
1) First Book give away
2) Building Representative training
3) Press conference (which included community and parents) and rally to stop the 10%
4) Regional listening sessions
As the challenges mount we’ll continue to work side-by-side to build power.
We’ve heard from members about what they’d like to see moving forward, via surveys, regional and one-on-one meetings. Here’s what you had to say:
1) You want better communication
2) You want your union to have more community engagement/involvement
3) You want union activities that focus on professional development
4) You want a stronger, more powerful union
5) You want a proactive union
We heard you, and though we have a long way to go, we have made progress.
Better communication
We’ve created a greater presence via social media (i.e. Twitter and Facebook).
In addition there’s been more information sent via email.
More community engagement/involvement
AFT-Detroit Community Engagement Committee (AFT-D CEC) was formed. AFT-D CEC held a school board forum last fall.
AFT-Detroit also is part of the Michigan Education Justice Coalition (MEJC). MEJC is dedicated to ensuring that every child in the state of Michigan is given the opportunity to receive quality public school education. Its members include; ACLU-MI, AFT-Detroit, AFT MI, Black Family Development, MOSES and the Detroit Branch NAACP.
Focus on teaching and learning
AFT- Detroit held a First Book give away drive.
Stronger more powerful union
AFT- Detroit held a joint building representative training.
AFT-Detroit stood side-by-side to fight back against the 10% wage cut.
A proactive union
When Gov. Snyder won the last election, he said his first order of business was fixing education in Detroit. We knew that could mean a New Orleans-styled education system for DPS. Therefore, we ensured that we were at the table and provided our professional perspective for recommendations that were sent to the Governor.
In closing, as we push forward to build power, we want to ensure we have a grasp on your concerns. Please take this survey. Click on this link to take survey.
AFT-Detroit
Donna Jackson, DFP President
Cc: Ruby Newbold, DAEOE President
Ivy Bailey, DFT Executive Vice President