About Us
OUR MISSION
AFT Michigan promotes public education and healthcare, strengthens worker voice, advances the institutions in which our members work, and builds a progressive movement committed to achieving these goals.
AFT Michigan is the state organization of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO (AFT), our national union. Individual members belong to an AFT union local. Each union local is affiliated with AFT Michigan and the AFT.
AFT Michigan is a union of 35,000 educators and healthcare providers working in K-12 and intermediate school districts, community colleges, universities, and hospitals across the state. AFT Michigan is the state organization of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), our national union. Individual members belong to an AFT local union affiliated with AFT Michigan, AFT, and the AFL-CIO.
We are committed to working together with our communities to reclaim the promise of public education as our nation’s gateway to democracy and social justice. We believe that we are stronger together than as individuals and look forward to the day when all workers are empowered as members of strong and inclusive unions.
The foundation of AFT Michigan is strong local unions with informed and mobilized memberships. As a state federation, we are responsible for helping local leaders build strong unions and for connecting those locals into regional and statewide networks to work toward our shared goals.
Members make their voices heard on the state level by electing delegates to our biennial convention and by participating in various committees. Delegates to the biennial convention vote on policy, the goals and objectives for the state federation, and the President, Secretary-Treasurer and Administrative Board, who direct AFT Michigan operations between conventions.
AFT Michigan offers classes, workshops and conferences throughout the year offering members and leaders an opportunity to build community, master skills, and gain new knowledge. In addition, we provide in-depth training and development for teams of local leaders working on shared projects.
The AFT, AFT Michigan and our local unions are active participants in the AFL-CIO at the national, state and local levels. This labor network enhances our union’s ability to address issues important to our membership in local communities, the state legislature, and in Washington, D.C..
AFT Michigan Historical Timeline
1916
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) formed in Chicago
1919
AFT lobbies Congress to give Howard University $1.5 million and support equal pay for African-American teachers
1931
Detroit Federation of Teachers chartered as AFT Local 231 (uniting separate men’s and women’s unions to become first AFT local in Michigan)
1935
In January 1935, the Michigan Federation of Teachers (MFT) is formed by AFT locals from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Highland Park, Kalamazoo, and University of Michigan.
Walter Bergman (DFT 231, standing, 2nd from right) was elected founding president of the MFT.
Bergman was a man of action who journeyed many paths to enrich the lives of the less fortunate; he was an educator and leader of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, the first American Federation of Teachers vice president from Michigan, an organizer with both the AFT and UAW, an ACLU leader, national and international political activist, humanitarian, and an indefatigable civil and human rights advocate — a Freedom Rider.
1936
Arthur Elder served as President of the Michigan Federation of Teachers from 1936-1938 and 1946-1950.
Elder taught in and directed the workers’ education program at the University of Michigan. His dismissal from this post in 1948 created a controversy over the influence of General Motors in Michigan and University politics. Elder was a tireless champion of teachers and public education. His political and legislative advocacy was directly responsible for the introduction and passage of the Michigan Teacher Tenure Act. After serving as MFT president, Elder went on to become Education Director of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
1937
MFT helps pass Michigan Teacher Tenure Act
1940
MFT begins publishing the Michigan Teacher newspaper
1941
MFT fights to repeal “loyalty oath” requirement for educators, which was used to target Communists and other radicals
1947
In an early demonstration of collective action by Michigan educators, East Detroit Fed of Teachers strike shuts down school district
Hutchinson Act passes over the objections of unions (making striking illegal for public sector workers in Michigan)
1948
As part of ongoing efforts to promote racial justice and equality, AFT stops chartering segregated locals
1951
Entering the 1950s, MFT is made up of 39 locals representing approximately 4,600 members
Jessie Baxter served asPresident of the Michigan Federation of Teachers from 1951-1959.
Baxter, a teachers from Lincoln Park, Local 431, oversaw an increase in membership, including adding locals in the Upper Peninsula, and was a constant fighter for teachers due process. Baxter also served as President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers from 1953-1954 and as an AFT Vice President.
1954
AFT files an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs in Brown vs. Board of Education
1957
AFT expels all remaining segregated local unions that refuse to admit African-Americans
1961
Henry Linne (East Detroit Fed of Teachers) served as MFT President from 1961-1981.
During his tenure, the Michigan legislature passed the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) and the MFT expanded its reach, welcoming college faculty, graduate employees, and K-12 support staff to the union.
1964
DFT 231 wins election over DEA to represent Detroit teachers
1965
A long campaign of union political action results in the Hutchinson Act being amended to establish public sector bargaining rights and renamed the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA)
1966
In one of the first job actions by higher education faculty, Henry Ford Community College Fed of Teachers, Local 1650, strikes for first contract in Dearborn
1970
Entering the 1970s, MFT is made up of 20 locals representing approximately 15,000 members
“Parochaid” (which would have sent public money to private schools) ballot initiative defeated at the polls by Michigan voters
1971
MFT and the Michigan Education Association (MEA) formally discuss the potential of merging
1973
PERA amended to establish the right to bargain “fair share” union security provisions in collective bargaining agreements
1974
University of Michigan Graduate Employees Organization, Local 3550, formed
1980
Entering the 1980s, MFT is made up of 30 locals representing approximately 16,000 members
“Yeshiva University” Supreme Court decision classifies most faculty at private colleges as supervisors, stripping them of bargaining rights
1981
In the culmination of a multi-year legal fight, the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) affirms bargaining rights for graduate student teachers and staff allowing GEO 3550 to finally bargain a new contract with U of M
Hugh Jarvis served as President of the Michigan Federation of Teachers from 1981-1996.
Under his leadership, the MFT organized 46 new locals, particularly across Northern Michigan, lost no locals to the “raids” that had marked the previous two decades, and built a new home for the union at 2661 E. Jefferson in Detroit.
1986
MFT opens Grayling office and launches northern organizing efforts
1992
MFT changes name to Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel
1993
Charter school enabling legislation passes
1994
Over union objections, PA 112 amends PERA to increase strike penalties and prohibit bargaining privatization of non-instructional staff.
1995
Proposal A transforms how Michigan funds schools – from local property taxes to a statewide formula
MFT & SRP opens new building at 2661 E. Jefferson in Detroit
1996
Rollie Hopgood served as President of the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School-Related Personnel from 1996-2001.
Before coming to MFT, Hopgood taught in Taylor Public Schools and served as President of the Taylor Federation of Teachers. Hopgood was very politically active, serving on the State Board of Education and the Taylor City Council. Under his leadership, a partnership agreement was negotiated with the MEA, ending decades of “raiding” between the two unions. Following his untimely death, the state federation established the Rollie Hopgood Scholarship Fund with the purpose of helping support staff and children of members become teachers.
1998
WSU-GEOC 6123 organizes graduate teaching and staff assistants at Wayne State – kicking off a decade of MFT & SRP higher ed organizing.
MEA-MFT “no raid” partnership agreement signed
1999
WSU faculty & staff AAUP local jointly affiliates with AFT, becoming Local 6075.
2000
Entering the 21st century, MFT & SRP was made up of 90 locals representing approximately 26,000 members.
Ballot initiative proposing “vouchers” (which would send public money to private schools) is defeated by Michigan voters.
2001
David Hecker served as President of AFT Michigan from 2001 to 2023.
Under his leadership, AFT Michigan organized many new locals representing thousands of new members, weathered a storm of anti-union and anti-public education attacks, built deep partnerships with community allies, and grew into a political force in the state.
Hecker became a member of the AFT in 1977, when he joined AFT Local 3220, the Teaching Assistants’ Association at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Ph.D. in Industrial Relations, and went on to serve as an AFT Vice President among many national leadership roles. Hecker was deeply committed to building the labor movement, serving as Executive Assistant to the President of the Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO from 1986 to 1996 and sitting on the Executive Committee of the Michigan State AFL-CIO for many years. Among many examples of his deep community engagement, Hecker served as the founding Chair of Communities in Schools Michigan.
2005
In recognition of membership expanding beyond K-12 schools, MFT & SRP changes name to AFT Michigan.
2010
Entering the 2010s, AFT Michigan has 99 locals representing approximately 22,000 members.
2011
Teachers at the Arts Academy in the Woods charter school organize to form the first chapter of the Michigan Alliance of Charter Teachers & Staff, AFT Local 6482
Anti-union trifecta in Lansing amends the Teacher Tenure Act to remove “just cause” protections.
Legislature amends PERA to prohibit teachers from bargaining evaluation, layoff & recall, and discipline & discharge.
2012
Legislature removes cap on the number of charter schools in Michigan
In response to GEO 3550 organizing drive at UM, legislature prohibits collective bargaining by graduate research assistants
Legislature amends PERA to prohibit fair share agreements (so-called “right to work”) and K-12 dues deduction.
2013
MEA-AFT Michigan Partnership Agreement signed (extended into a Merger Exploratory Committee in 2015)
2019
Heading into the 2020s, AFT Michigan is made up of 93 locals representing approximately 27,000 members.
2020
Physician assistants at UM hospital organize as United Physician Assistants of Michigan Medicine, Local 5297, kicking off a wave of healthcare organizing within AFT Michigan.
2023
Terrence Martin elected President of AFT Michigan.
From 2018-2023, Martin served as President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT), AFT Local 231, a union committed to providing Detroit’s students and their families with safe, thriving and welcoming public schools. Before being elected as president, Martin served as the Executive Vice President for DFT. An outspoken advocate for social, educational and economic justice in the city of Detroit, Martin has spent the past decade fighting for students, educators and the people of Detroit. He is a native of Detroit and attended Detroit public schools.
Martin began his advocacy as a second-grade teacher at John Lynch Elementary on the east side of Detroit, where he became a building representative. His activism led him to the elected role of treasurer of the DFT. After serving as treasurer for several years, Martin ascended to a variety of staff capacities at the DFT, including serving as labor relations administrator, community engagement coordinator and political action director. Martin was instrumental in reshaping how the DFT organizes and mobilizes its membership, parents and the community.
In addition to his union leadership roles, Martin also serves on the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, the 13th Congressional District Democratic Committee, and the State of Michigan’s Black Leadership Advisory Council created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Martin received his master’s degree in teaching from Marygrove College in Detroit. He is also a graduate of Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Martin is an athlete who played high school, college, and semi-professional basketball. He is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and the proud father of a son who is a graduate of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
