December 11, 2023
UMMAP Welcomes Two More Units of Healthcare Professionals to the Union
On Thursday, December 2, the nearly 1500 members of the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP) welcomed two new units Into their ranks. UMMAP behavioral health, and UMMAP medical assistants were successfully certified via the “card check” process at the University of Michigan. Both groups went into the count with a strong majority, after nearly a year of grassroots organizing. This brings the UMMAP family of bargaining units to nearly 2800 allied health professionals at the University of Michigan medical system. Amazing work by everyone involved.
Happy Holidays from AFT Michigan Locals
Happy Holidays from Van Dyke Educational Assistants Federation – Paraprofessionals
AFT National Student Debt Clinic Webinar – Dec 13 & 19
The AFT is hosting free, virtual student debt clinic webinars on Dec. 13 and 19. Student debt clinics provide AFT members with information on how student debt relief programs work, the necessary steps to take to qualify for these programs, resources to support them through the process, and best practices to make sure they are maximizing the benefits available to them.
Union Made Gifting
It’s that time of year! No matter what you celebrate or how, we know many of you are looking for that perfect gift for your friends and family. And we’d like to suggest—in what has become our annual tradition—gifting union made.
We’ve expanded our gift guide this year. In addition to the usual assortment of delicious union-made food and drinks, toys and games, and more, we also have gifts for big spenders. Gifts that you can make at home, with union products! Gifts for those who’d rather have an experience. Find that perfect gift, from stocking stuffers to sports equipment to a unique book or theater performance.
Best of all, you can feel proud knowing your gifts are made by workers who stood together for family-supporting wages and good benefits. Supporting union-made goods will help workers and communities across the country—you are essentially voting “Union Yes” with your wallet.
It’s a big comprehensive guide, and it’s all here, so we hope this will be your one-stop shopping list this holiday season. We’ll make your gift-giving easy, and you can support union members with your hard-earned dollars—it’s a win-win!
Check out our Union-Made Holiday Gift Guide here.
Upcoming Webinar: Helpful Tips for Newcomer Immigrant Students – December 14
You’re invited to join AFT’s Share My Lesson for a free, for-credit webinar, “Newcomer Immigrant Students: Helpful PreK-12 Tips for What to Do First,” on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. EST.
Many schools throughout the country are enrolling newcomer English language learners (ELLs) for the first time, or do not have enough specialized English as a second language or bilingual certified teachers to work with this group of students
Join the AFT, Share My Lesson and Colorín Colorado to hear from expert practitioners about the particular needs of newcomer ELLs and to get tips, resources and strategies you can use right away to help ELLs adjust to their new surroundings successfully.
Upcoming Webinar: Dimensions to Wellness Self-Care for Educators – January 24
Join AFT’s Share My Lesson for this free webinar to support your health and well-being, part of our 2024 Wellness Series.
Dimensions to Wellness is a valuable and research-based training program designed to cater to the holistic well-being of educators. This webinar is a unique opportunity for educators to explore and enhance their mental, physical, and emotional health.
During this hour-long session, participants will delve into their own self-care practices, gaining insights to become more intentional about their wellness journey. The program covers a range of topics, including an assessment of current health, understanding circadian rhythms, exploring eight wellness indicators and their impact on overall well-being, and even delving into the concept of chakras.
Note: Each webinar in this Wellness Series is a stand-alone professional development webinar; you can watch one or all and in any particular order that suits your needs. Register now.
2 Great Opportunities to Understand Recent Pro-Union NLRB Decisions
The Center for Labor & Community Studies is pleased to share two upcoming events that explain how recent landmark decisions by the National Labor Relations Board improve worker protections and make it easier to organize a Union. Whether you’re an organizer, committee leader, steward, or rank-and-file activist, these are events that you don’t want to miss!
In-Person Symposium of the Cemex Case
Where: IBEW Local 58 (1358 Abbott Street, Detroit MI 48226)
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 13th from 5PM – 7PM (EST)
This free event by Miller Cohen, PLC will deep-dive into the changes brought on by the recent Cemex case, an NLRB case that predominantly affected union organizing efforts and union membership, and similar decisions. The two speakers include Atty. Richard G. Mack, Jr. and Atty. Robert D. Fetter, who are both on the General Counsel for Metro-Detroit AFL-CIO. There’s only limited space for this event, so make sure to register by December 7th! You can do so by contacting amack@millercohen.com or calling (313) 964-4454.
Online Symposium on Union Organizing & the Law
Zoom Link: https://umich.zoom.us/j/9880750133
Date/Time: Saturday, December 16 from 10AM – 12PM (EST)
Meeting ID: 988 075 0133
The University of Michigan – Dearborn’s Center for Labor & Community Studies is hosting this free online symposium on Saturday, December 16, from 10AM-12PM EST. Labor organizations scored several legal victories this year, especially regarding the rights to organize new unions. Join us for an expert panel discussion about recent National Labor Relations Board decisions and how they can be best implemented. This symposium includes presentations from the panelists followed by a Q&A portion for attendees.
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,
Terrence Martin
President
