Wayne Academic Union Ratifies New Contract
The Wayne Academic Union (WAU), representing nearly 1,700 faculty and academic staff at Wayne State University (WSU), has ratified a new contract with the university. The ratified contract will go into effect immediately, ensuring continued academic excellence and strengthening the working conditions of those who serve the WSU community. This achievement is largely a result of the unwavering commitment of WAU members to providing students with high-quality learning experiences that can only be guaranteed by attracting and retaining top-tier higher education professionals.
WAU membership will benefit from salary increases, stronger job protections for non-tenured faculty and academic staff, flexible work arrangements, and formal recognition that academic freedom is essential to students’ right to freedom in learning. In negotiations, WAU asked the university administration to establish an emergency fund for students in a housing crisis. Although the union’s attempt to bargain for the common good did not gain traction with the university administration, WAU will raise money for this fund.
On a personal note, I’d like to say thanks and best of luck to Danielle Aubert, who stepped down as president of the local to take a new position out of state. Danielle served on our Administrative Board and has been a stalwart champion of higher education throughout the state. WAU is welcoming Jennifer Sheridan Moss, a longtime activist in the local who is well-prepared to build on Danielle’s legacy, to the presidency. Thank you Danielle, welcome Jennifer, and great work by the entire leadership team on a great contract!
Professional Personnel of Van Dyke Fighting for a Fair Contract
The Professional Personnel of Van Dyke are staying unified as they continue to fight for a fair contract – looked great with everyone wearing red heading into school!
Metro Detroit Labor Day Parade
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Metro Detroit Labor Day Parade – Monday, September 2. Our section will line up at Trumbull and Michigan starting at 7am. At 9am, we will march to Roosevelt Park (Michigan Central train station) where there will be a labor program with special guests.
Monroe Lenawee CLC’s Labor Day Parade and Festival.
The parade will start at noon, and the festival will go from 1pm to 10pm. There will be live music, food trucks, vendors, kids activities, a cornhole tournament, and more. The event takes place the Saturday before labor day, August 31st. ML CLC hopes that you can make it out to celebrate Labor!
State and National Democratic Conventions Wrapup: On to November!
An important stretch of political action wrapped up last week. Activists gathered at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago during the week and then at the Michigan Democratic Party Nominating Convention in Lansing Saturday. In Chicago, we witnessed the historic nomination of Kamala Harris and also heard from AFT President Randi Weingarten on the importance of this election and how we must show up and fight for our allies across the ticket. The Michigan Democratic Nomination Convention brought victory to our Unity Slate, formally nominating Shauna Ryder-Diggs and Denise Ilitch for University of Michigan Regent, Tommy Stallworth and Rebecca Bahar-Cook for Michigan State Trustee, Mark Gaffney and Rasha Demashkieh for Wayne State University Governor, and Theodore Jones and Adam Zemeke to the State School Board. We will show up and fight for victory for all of our endorsed candidates in November.
North American Labor History Conference – Oct 10-12
The North American Labor History Conference (NALHC) has been on hiatus since the 2020 pandemic, but we are coming back this year amid a presidential election campaign to consider questions about the relationship between work and democracy.
The working classes, people of color, ethnic minorities, women and LGBTQ+ people are organizing against voting restrictions while struggling against indifference, apathy, and fear. As labor scholars, historians, activists, archivists, and union members, we meet to consider the relationship and role of workers, labor unions, and worker organizations in democratic societies, and the importance of democratic governance in local, institutional, national, and global contexts. Your participation in this conference is an important contribution to that discussion.
Registration is now open for the 2024 North American Labor History Conference (NALHC). The conference will take place at Wayne State University from Thursday, October 10, to Saturday, October 12. Cost is only $90 for non-WSU staff.
Scholarships for registration and travel assistance are available on a limited basis. Please contact our conference organizers with any questions at: ge0553@wayne.edu.
https://commerce.cashnet.com/1spevents?cname=NALHC
AFT Michigan Professional Development Workshop
Archetypes Supporting/Developing Teacher Agency/Identity
Saturday, September 7, 2024
AFT Michigan – David Hecker Bldg.
2661 E. Jefferson – Detroit MI
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
This in-service will provide strategies for educators to enhance their ability to advocate for themselves and students to support emotional growth in the learning environment.
Participants will receive 6 SCECHs after completion of this in-service.
Click here to register
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!
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
