UNTF Extension United Packs Board Room at MSU
Neither snow nor wind nor ice kept UNTF Extension United members from attending the MSU Board of Trustees meeting this past Friday to ask for a fair contract. Members from across the state shared their stories about the important work they do for MSU and how they love their jobs but are forced to consider leaving because of the low pay. Low wages cause high turnover, which harms the communities where employees work. Extension workers in every Michigan county help people with education and resources on diverse subjects such as organic gardening, financial planning, or even launching a new business. This is important work that Michigan communities need. Employees are asking the university to give them a raise at ratification instead of waiting until October for their first raise in two years, as MSU has proposed. They are asking for and deserve a living wage. The State Journal covered their action in the article linked below if you would like to know more about the day UNTF Extension United packed the MSU Board of Trustees room.
Earn Your Union Building Institute Certificate! Sign up for AFT Michigan’s Week of Learning for Worksite Leaders! February 23-26
Are you a workplace leader looking to develop your union leadership skills? Wondering where to start when it comes to being a building representative, steward, or union member? Worksite leaders and members are invited to sign up for various virtual sessions designed to develop skills and build on existing knowledge and skills around core union capacities throughout the week of February 23rd. Sessions are designed to give worksite leaders skills and strategies they can immediately implement at their worksites.
Learn more and register today at https://aftmichigan.org/events/
Labor Unions Launch ‘Michigan Climate Jobs’ Coalition to Build Worker-Led Clean Energy Future
Join us on Tuesday, February 10, from 12:30pm – 1pm, at Central United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall (215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI) for the launch of Michigan Climate Jobs.
Michigan Climate Jobs (MICJ) is a coalition of labor unions that is dedicated to building a worker-led and affordable clean energy future. We are mothers and fathers, community members, and neighbors. MICJ’s mission is to make Michigan a leader in clean energy generation with good-paying union careers, to build strong and vibrant communities, and ensure our children have safe and healthy spaces to learn and thrive.
Speakers will include: Ryan Bennett, Chair MICJ / President Michigan Pipe Trades Association; Terrence Martin, President AFT Michigan; Grennan Milliken, Faculty Researcher at Cornell University’s ILR Climate Jobs Institute; Armando Ramos, Laborers Local 1098 member; and Natalya Craig, Operating Engineers 324 member.
Union Baristas Urge Customers to Delete Starbucks App
Members of Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) are urging allies to delete the coffee giant’s mobile app as a way to pressure executives into bargaining a fair first contract.
Why It Matters:
Baristas have been walking picket lines around the country over ULPs since November of last year. While they’ve already reached tentative agreements on multiple areas of concerns, the corporation has not yet offered reasonable proposals on health care and wages.
“We are calling on Starbucks customers everywhere to delete the Starbucks mobile app off your phone,” said Christi Gomoljak, a SBWU member. “When baristas get a fair contract, you can reload the app on your phone and then finally, use any gift cards that you might have gotten from the holidays. But trust me, coffee with a union contract tastes so much better, and it is worth the wait.”
“Supporting our baristas as they take on one of the most powerful companies in the world…is an incredible way to make an impact,” added AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on a solidarity call about the escalation campaign. “This fight is about something way bigger than just coffee. It’s about whether we as working people get to live with dignity in this world that we make possible.”
Oakland University Teaching & Learning Symposium – May 8
Calling all higher ed faculty: Are you looking to learn new teaching practices, enhance student learning, or sharpen your teaching skills? Oakland University’s events create an interactive and welcoming space where faculty, staff, and graduate students come together to share ideas, explore strategies, and engage in meaningful discussions. You’ll find support, a sense of belonging, and a community where you can exchange teaching practices, scholarship, and ideas.
OU’s Teaching & Learning Symposium will take place on Friday, May 8, featuring James Lang as our keynote speaker. The call for proposals is open, and they would love faculty, staff, and administrators from neighboring colleges and universities to join as presenters and attendees!
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!
Happy Black History Month
Celebrate Black History throughout the year! Teach about Black voices, innovations and leadership with this expansive preK-12 collection. Explore stories of activism, resilience, art, music, science and civil rights—past and present. AFT ShareMyLesson has curated lessons that foster critical reflection and offer students multiple entry points into Black history.
Check out ShareMyLesson’s Valentine’s Day PreK-12 Collection
Bring kindness and creativity into the classroom. Find art projects, writing prompts, social and emotional learning activities, math and literacy lessons perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Check out ShareMyLesson’s Collection on the History of the Olympics Games
Celebrate the excitement and lessons of the Winter Olympics with this preK-12 collection. From sports science and geography to cultural exploration and social emotional learning, these resources connect global competition with classroom collaboration.
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
