GEO Strikes University of Michigan
The strike of graduate employees at the University of Michigan represented by the Graduate Employees’ Organization, AFT 3550, continues. Although there are a number of important issues on the table, the centerpiece of GEO’s demands is a call for the University to pay graduate employees a living wage.
Numerous unions, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, members of Congress, State Senators and State Reps have urged UM President Ono to reach a settlement that is fair and just for graduate employees.
The Administration has asked the courts to issue an injunction against the strike. The court hearing will be Tuesday, April 4. You can donate to the GEO Strike Fund at https://t.co/wlbTgvTnSf.
Yes, The Attacks Are Coordinated
My March column in the Michigan Advance centers on the coordinated effort to undermine public education, civil rights and the labor movement as it is these three institutions that provide hope and opportunity for working families and people of color.
AFT Michigan Spring Leadership Summit – April 15
The AFT Michigan Spring Leadership Summit will take place on Saturday, April 15, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at UM Dearborn Fairlane North,19000 Hubbard Drive – Dearborn, MI 48126. Leaders will select a “position-specific cohort” to attend in the morning and constituency groups will meet in the afternoon. Local presidents, treasurers, membership data coordinators, contract enforcement coordinators, and political coordinators are particularly encouraged to attend.
Click here to register.
Calling All Librarians
Are you a librarian? Are you upset about the wave of book banners threatening our communities? Our friends at Progress Michigan are looking for librarians willing to speak up and talk about why protecting access to literature is so important. If you’d be willing to do a short interview on this important topic, please email Dave Dobbie at ddobbie@aftmichigan.org.
EMUFT Movie Screening and Roundtable Discussion – April 5
Join EMUFT on April 5, from 6-8 pm, for a movie screening and roundtable discussion on the precarious lives of contract faculty.
MSU Labor Education Conference
On Thursday, April 20, MSU will be hosting a conference on “The Future of Work/The Future of Labor,” designed to bring Michigan labor leaders and activists together to look at emerging trends and current situations that affect us in the labor movement. There will be presentations and reaction panels on the future of work, organizing, bargaining and on our post-pandemic workplaces.
Register at: https://hrlr.msu.edu/labored/labored/events.html
2023 Michigan School for Women Workers
Women in Leadership Empowering Us All!
April 27-29, Somerset Inn, Troy, Michigan
The Michigan School for Women Workers invites all union and non-union workers and activists from allied organizations to share ideas and grow skills for responding to the challenges facing working people. We welcome participants from all genders and all cultural or ethnic backgrounds.
Click here for more information and to register.
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!
In solidarity
David Hecker
President
