One of the core values of the labor movement is democracy. We vote to form a union. We vote to approve contracts. We vote to elect our leaders.
Our conventions take place every two years. AFT Michigan 79th Convention will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Huntington Place in downtown Detroit(1 Washington Blvd).
For delegates to be seated, locals are required by the AFT Michigan constitution to be in good standing as of the date of the convention, which requires being paid up on per caps through February 2026, and having a current financial review or audit, constitution, and list of officers on file with AFT Michigan.
Each local is entitled to a certain number of delegates based on per capita dues paid to AFT Michigan from January 2025 through December 2025. Locals also have the opportunity to nominate members to participate on convention committees (Constitutional Amendments, Credentials, Human Rights, Legislation & Resolutions, and Nominations & Elections).
Locals are invited to submit resolutions for the delegates from around the state to consider. AFT Michigan staff is available to help locals navigate the process and apply appropriate formatting. Resolutions should be submitted to info@aftmichigan.org by April 10. At the convention, we will also elect AFT Michigan leadership for the next two years.
We will once again recognize a handful of the rank and file leaders who make up the backbone of our union with the AFT Michigan Worksite Leader of the Year Award. If there is a building rep or steward in your local who is really going above and beyond in terms of signing up and engaging members and generally spreading union solidarity, please nominate them by filling out this brief form.
IMPORTANT DATES
A union is only as strong as the participation by our members. We live our values by participating in conventions like this where all voices can be heard. We hope to see you at the Convention. If you have any questions, please contact your field representative, email office@aftmichigan.org or call 313-393-2200.
Adding Convention Attendees (Delegates, Alternate, and Guest)
To add your local’s elected delegates to attend AFT Michigan 79th Convention, click HERE. If you have any issues accessing the portal, please contact office@aftmichigan.org.
Once you have logged in, you will see the total number of convention delegates that your local is allotted as well as the number that have already been registered. Please click the “Add Delegates” tab to begin adding your local’s elected delegates and alternate delegates, beginning with your “Ranking Delegate.” As you add each delegate, they can also be assigned to convention committees.
All delegates require the signature of two elected officers to be properly credentialed for convention. It is not necessary for both officers to be in the same location to provide the needed signatures. One officer should add the names of the delegates and sign their name. The second officer can then sign into MyAFTMichigan from their own device to add the second necessary signature to each delegate.
Please only submit names of delegates who are likely to attend the convention. When we receive ten names because the local is allocated ten delegates, but only six plan on attending, it makes planning more difficult and unnecessarily increases costs. A reminder that any contested election for convention delegates must be by secret ballot and members must receive adequate notice before the deadline for nominations.
Nominations for AFT Michigan Officer Positions
At each Convention, we elect members to the AFT Michigan Administrative Board. Vice-presidential nominees must be nominated by a member of their own local. The AFT Michigan Constitution “reserves” 9 of the 21 vice-presidential seats on the board to candidates representing particular constituencies.
Click HERE to nominate a candidate for AFT Michigan officer position.
Candidates must be nominated by a member of their home local and then accept the nomination to be eligible for election at the convention.
