CTU Organizing Institute Visits Michigan
Last week the Chicago Teachers’ Union, joined by our community partners, the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, held their Summer Organizing Institute at the Taylor Federation of Teachers. The 5 day training intensive focused on honing participants skills around how to activate and engage our members in the upcoming election, educating members on the importance of down ballot races (esp. state house and school boards) and honing these skills through canvassing union member households in Taylor, Hamtramck and Dearborn. We selected these key areas not only because they will be pivotal in electing our allies at the top of the ticket, but essential in not only maintaining, but increasing our allied majority in the State House and all have endorsed candidates running for school board. The fellows knocked over 900 union members’ doors and left an indelible mark on each of the communities they canvassed. This was an amazing kick-off to our canvass efforts this cycle and shows the power of solidarity with our union brothers and sisters regardless of demographics.
Taylor Teachers Ratify New Contract
Congratulations to the members of the Taylor Federation of Teachers, AFT 1085, who recently ratified a great new contract. The TFT won substantial wage increases, restored longevity pay for the first time in recent memory, accelerated the timeline for members to reach the top of the salary scale, and restored the formerly-prohibited bargaining rights we won back in the legislature, including just cause, teacher evaluation, placement, etc. Great work by President Terry Devlin and the whole TFT leadership team, not only in this round of negotiation, but in previous years of dedicated work to build a pro-union majority on the school board!
Support Oakland University Faculty Wednesday
The Oakland AAUP continues the campaign for a fair contract in the face of frustrating responses from administration. If you are in the area Wednesday, the local is hosting a solidarity event on campus from 12-1.
UMMAP Fights for a Fair Contract
At 6am on Monday, July 29th, the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP/AFT Local 6739) joined forces with SEIU for an informational picket across the street from the main hospital.
Both locals have been negotiating their first contracts for months. Over 400 workers made waves on the 29th, growing community support and catching the attention of the local news media throughout the state.
Since the informational picket, the UMMAP Bargaining Team has seen significant movement on our non-economic proposals. To learn more about upcoming UMMAP actions visit their website: ummap6739.org.
UMMAP formed over the past 18 months and represents about 4,500 Michigan Medicine allied professionals in six different units: Rehab, Behavioral Health, Lab, Medical Assistants, Hospital Services, and Advanced Diagnostic and Procedures Technologists.
AFT American Educator Now Online
The AFT American Educator has a new edition out and one of the articles focuses on our work as a union here in Michigan via an interview with David Hecker, Eric Rader and myself. The fall American Educator is now online at aft.org/ae, and you can find our interview at
https://www.aft.org/ae/fall2024/hecker_martin_rader.
Contribute to the AFT Michigan PAC Today
AFT Michigan fights for our members, students, patients 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!
Become a First Book Member
Eligible AFT members can sign up to become a First Book member and get $25 off their first First Book Marketplace order by registering here and using promo code AFTCON24, while funding lasts. If you register by Aug. 9, you will also be entered into a raffle for a $100 gift certificate to First Book Marketplace—where you’ll find thousands of books and other resources for kids from birth to age 18 for free or at low cost. Don’t worry if you miss the chance to use the promo code or win the raffle; there are other funding opportunities for new First Book members you will be notified of once you join. Thank you to all current First Book members who signed up at the First Book and Reading Opens the World booth during the convention; you’ve already been entered into the $100 gift certificate raffle.
Detroit Lions Union Appreciation Day
The Detroit Lions would like to thank our local Union members through an exclusive ticket offer for the Thursday Night Game vs the Green Bay Packers. As part of this offer each ticket will include $25 in Lions Loot to be spent at the game for Food & Beverage only.
Tickets can be purchased through the link below:
https://fevo-enterprise.com/Unionoffer2024
Order AFT New Member Organizing Materials
AFT members unite to fight for real solutions because we understand that when we band together at work and in our communities, we can create a better life for all. Together, we’re fighting the extremists who want to destroy public education, dismantle our democracy, defund public services, decimate healthcare and demonize the vulnerable—and we’re standing up to the privatizers who are more concerned about profits than people.
The greater our numbers, the greater our voice and power. We’re now 1.75 million members strong—and growing! With 118 new units organized since June 2023, we’re now the second-largest healthcare union and the largest higher education union.
To help you continue growing and gaining power, we’ve refreshed our organizing materials. Order today at go.aft.org/AFTmaterials.
Materials are available year-round. Whenever you are planning an organizing push, union event or other mobilizing opportunity, you can select the resources you need, including organizing brochures that show prospective members how to amplify their voice, a Value of Belonging poster that highlights our accomplishments, pocket calendars, and professional learning options and benefits brochures that reinforce our day-to-day support for our members.
Place your order and spread the word: We’re creating a better life for all!
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
