Washtenaw Educational Options Consortium Fed of Teachers Ratifies First Contract
Congratulations to the members of the Washtenaw Educational Options Consortium Fed of Teachers (WEOCFT, AFT 6636) on the ratification of their first collective bargaining agreement. WEOCFT includes around 75 teachers and allied professionals from three schools: the Early College Alliance (ECA) at Eastern Michigan University, the Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education (WAVE), and the Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy (WIHI/WIMA). Great work by the WEOCFT bargaining team and everyone who was involved in forming the union and winning this first contract!
Michigan ACTS – AAW Ratifies New Contract
The members of Michigan ACTS at Arts Academy in the Woods have ratified a new contract through June 30, 2027. They are excited about working with the board and new school leadership with teacher collaboration. Great work by the MIACTS-AAW leadership team and congratulations on the new contract!
Bargaining team from left to right: Petrine Hone (Contract Enforcer), Emily Francis (Chair), Brett Worthspoon (Union Steward).
Fight Back Against SNAP-Ed Cuts!
On July 4, 2025, the federal government eliminated funding for the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program better known as SNAP-Ed. It has helped Michigan families for over 30 years by teaching practical, life-changing skills: how to cook healthy meals on a budget, how to grocery shop wisely, and how to improve long-term health with better food choices. It has supported children, seniors, working parents, and people in every county of our state.
Now, that support is being dismantled. Without state investment, we will lose the educators, classes, and trusted programs that have made a difference in so many lives.
Click Here to Send a Letter to Your Legislator Asking them to Protect SNAP-ED
MSU Extension United/UNTF Local 1855 is addressing the approaching expiration of SNAP-Ed funding on October 1, which is anticipated to result in permanent elimination of up to 120 jobs at Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. Layoff notices are slated for July 31. The Union, representing community-based professionals across all Michigan counties, is focused on advocating for its members and preserving the essential programs they deliver.
Communication from MSU administrators regarding these personnel changes was initially released via an op-ed article rather than directly to employees. Only through advocacy by Extension United, including the demand to bargain the impact of these layoffs, did MSU finally confirm a timeline for the mass layoffs earlier this week. The exact number of affected positions still remains unclear. MSU states they are completing internal review processes.
Extension United members have consistently advocated for their colleagues, demanded transparency at the bargaining table, and spoken out publicly on the devastating effects of this funding loss. Despite the union’s early efforts to collaborate with MSU’s lobbyists on this extensive loss of funding, MSU remained unresponsive. Extension United remains committed to
securing fair treatment and a clear path forward for its members.
Extension United urges community members to contact their state legislators to convey the positive impact of SNAP-Ed programs on their families and communities. Your voice is crucial to highlight the potential disruption this funding loss will cause. For information, contact extension@untf.org.
AFT Michigan is Hiring aPreK-12 Constituency Coordinator!
We are seeking an experienced and energized person to join our dynamic statewide union of educators and healthcare providers as our PreK-12 Constituency Coordinator. This position will be one of three focused on our main membership constituencies: Healthcare, Higher Education, and PreK-12 Education. See the full posting including information on how to apply at: https://aftmichigan.org/were-hiring-prek-12-constituency-coordinator/
Workers’ Labor Day
The AFL-CIO announced Workers Deserve, a Workers’ Labor Day week of action.
In communities large and small in every state, workers will celebrate our power and the freedom, fairness and security we all deserve. At hundreds of events across the country, working people will send a clear message to greedy CEOs, billionaires and anti-worker politicians: We built this country, and we’re taking it back.
The Workers Deserve Labor Day week of action will be a culmination of the AFL-CIO’s “It’s Better in a Union: Fighting for Freedom, Fairness and Security” bus tour, which will wrap up after two months of crisscrossing the country with two buses to highlight workers’ fights to organize, win fair contracts and counteract the impact that reckless policies are having on our lives.
New Teachers Need Support—Here’s How You Can Help
Starting a teaching career is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a new teacher or working alongside one, having the right support makes all the difference.
That’s why we created the Welcome to Teaching Conversation Series, an on-demand podcast from Share My Lesson and the AFT. In each short, practical episode, early career educators talk with AFT professional development leaders about what it really takes to succeed in the classroom—and how to build lasting support systems.
Explore the free, for-credit episodes:
- Classroom Management: Set clear expectations and handle behavior challenges with confidence.
- Children’s Well-Being: Create safe spaces where students can thrive emotionally and academically.
- Family Engagement with a Focus on Literacy: Build strong, consistent connections with families to support student success.
- Teacher Well-Being: Learn practical tips for managing stress and staying grounded.
- Civics Instruction: Teach civil dialogue and real-world engagement with confidence.
- Union Partnership and the Path to Thriving in Teaching: Teaching can feel like an island. Find out how to feel more connected, supported and empowered.
Each episode includes companion blogs and teaching resources you can use right away.
Read the full article to access the full podcast series, bonus content, and ideas to support educators at every stage.
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.
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!
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!
AFT Disaster Relief Fund for Gaza Humanitarian Aid
Nearly every person in Gaza needs urgent humanitarian assistance. Two million Palestinians have been displaced, and the entire population is facing dire food insecurity. According to UNICEF, 80 percent of those who have died from malnutrition during this war were children. This is an immediate crisis that requires our intervention. You can donate to the AFT Disaster Relief Fund for Gaza humanitarian aid.
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
