LEO-GLAM Fights for First Contract
LEO-GLAM, the unit of librarians, archivists, and curators (LACs) inside the Lecturer Employees’ Organization (AFT MI #6244) at the University of Michigan, has been negotiating their first contract for the past five months. The administration has continually dismissed their concerns for greater equity, transparency, and accountability. As a result, they have decided to increase the pressure and take action to win a fair contract.
Join LACs across all of UM in solidarity at their first ever work action on Tuesday, April 19 at noon in Ann Arbor. They will meet at the Diag (913. S University Ave) and proceed to the Buhr Building (839 Greene St) to highlight the range of troubling working conditions within GLAM workspaces on the Ann Arbor campus.
Lunch will be provided at Buhr and options for virtual participation will also be available.
Please RSVP for the march today and share it with your co-workers, friends, and family!
EMU Lecturers Rally for Respect
On Thursday, April 21 at 1:15 pm, members of the Eastern Michigan University Federation of Teachers (EMUFT), AFT Local 9102, are rallying in front of Welch Hall on the Eastern Michigan University Campus to demand respect for full- and part-time lecturers. This rally is a part of EMUFT’s Respect Campaign, demanding better treatment for all Lecturers at EMU. Please show your support for the Lecturers at EMU by either coming out to the Rally in front of Welch Hall on April 21 at 1:15 or by signing EMUFT’s Ally Petition. This petition, together with a petition signed by EMU Lecturers as well as a Position Statement, will be presented to the Board of Regents meeting on April 21.
Advance Column Takes On DeVos Voucher Proposal
With Betsy DeVos advancing her K-12 voucher proposal, my April Michigan Advance column outlines why the DeVos plan undercuts our students.
Senate Republicans Reject Outstanding University Board Nominees
Last Thursday, the Republican-controlled Michigan Senate rejected Governor Whitmer’s nominations of Jon Hoadley to the Western Michigan University board and Mike Ryan to the Ferris State board. Jon is a former state representative who served six years on the Michigan House Higher Education Committee. Mike is a retired Ferris professor and former leader of the MEA local on campus. Jon and Mike care deeply about Western, Ferris, and our state. They want what is best for students and have great respect for employees and their unions.
If our allies controlled the State Senate, these two nominees would have been confirmed. Elections matter! Please contribute to AFT Michigan PAC at https://aftmichigan.org/pac/
Young Workers Conference – June 23-25, 2022
UM – Dearborn Center for Labor and Community Studies will be holding their 2022 Young Worker Conference on June 23-25. The conference will be led by younger workers, but you need only be young in spirit to attend! The ten workshops offer interest to every worker. Since recent conferences have sold out, this conference will be held off campus at the Somerset Inn in Troy, Michigan. You can register online, find more information, and download the flyer in various formats at clsc.umd.umich.edu.
Contribute to the AFT Michigan PAC Today
AFT Michigan fights for our members, students and communities all year round and we need your help. Can you donate $1 a week to aid us in this fight? Please visit the AFT Michigan website to contribute and make a big difference in protecting public education and building a better Michigan future!
Upcoming Union-Building Workshops
| Workshop | Date | Time |
| Treasurer Tuesday: Local Financial Reviews | Tuesday, April 19, 2022 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM |
Professional Development
AFT Michigan
Supporting Learners to Cope After a Traumatic Event(s)
Saturday, May 7, 2022
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
In the wake of several traumatic events such as the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic and the Ukraine War, students may experience fear, worry, and sadness. This workshop will provide strategies for educators to help learners through their fears and grief, and prevent long term negative effects academically and emotionally.
Click here to register: https://aftmichigan.org/professional-development-events/
In solidarity,
David Hecker
President
