November 10, 2020
Where Do We Go From Here?
While as a union we celebrate the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the re-election of Gary Peters, and flipping the Michigan Supreme Court, we must consider where we go from here.
Is the Biden/Harris win a mandate for their pro-public education, pro-working families, pro-union agenda? Or was it more of a Trump loss, with Republican and independent voters turned off by his boorish behavior and some of his positions? There will be much analysis in the weeks and months to come trying to disentangle these results.
Whatever one’s conclusions, it is a fact that we had record high turnout around the country. How do we maintain and build on this foundation of our democracy? We must continue to broaden our coalition work. Find common ground with other progressive groups and agree to disagree on other issues. Continue to build AFT Michigan’s political work and the political infrastructure of the progressive movement. We do this by working the issues and involving our members in union work every day.
Big Local Wins
Congratulations to the many locals who got involved and won races at the local level:
- Taylor Federation of Teachers elected four pro-union candidates to the Taylor school board
- Roseville Federation of Teachers elected two supporters; and sent a Roseville building rep (Amy Thomas-August) to the Lake Shore school board (which will help our three locals in Lake Shore)
- Ecorse Federation of Teachers elected a supporter to their board
- Dearborn Federation of Teachers and Henry Ford Community College Federation of Teachers elected a supporter they both endorsed to their shared board
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College Federation of Teachers elected a supporter to the college board
- Wayne County K-12 locals helped pass the Wayne County Education Enhancement Millage
A Tough Loss
Many, many thanks to State Representative Sheryl Kennedy, member of the UM Lecturers’ Employee Organization, for her outstanding work in the Michigan House. Unfortunately, Sheryl lost her bid for re-election in a tough district.
Upcoming Professional Development
Communication Skills that Improve Student Learning and Behavior PreK-14
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Virtual Class from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00p.m.
This in-service will help educators examine their language/speaking habits and provide strategies to improve their classroom practice, so their language matches and support the students’ academic goals.
Click here to register.
In Solidarity,
David Hecker, President
