AFT Michigan Collective Bargaining Conference – Jan 24
Join us for AFT Michigan’s Collective Bargaining Conference on January 24th at Fairlane Center South from 9:00-3:30! We’ll be honoring AFT Michigan’s immediate past General Counsel, Mark Cousens, with an opening conversation “ Collective Bargaining in Michigan: Looking Back, Looking Forward”. The day will then split into two tracks: an introductory course to collective bargaining and workshops focused on bargaining issues and strategies. We encourage bargaining team members and those involved with collective bargaining and contract campaigns at their locals to attend. Learn more about the sessions and register here today!
In the News: Detroit Educators Fight for Release of Students Held by ICE
Is Your T-Shirt Union Made? Some Tricks of the Trade and a Great New Opportunity- January 29 @ 6:30 PM
Unions have long encouraged their members to buy union-made goods when possible. And every year unions themselves buy millions of dollars of printed material as well as t-shirts and other apparel merch. Finding union printers has been relatively easy: unions know which local printers have the “union bug.” But when it comes to apparel, there is a lot of confusion over what is and is not union-made. This workshop will focus on apparel, explaining why there is so much confusion today, and discussing what we can do to ensure that our unions purchase apparel that really is union-made.
In this workshop, Ian will report on what he learned at the 2025 Detroit Labor Day parade about what share of the union t-shirts folks were wearing that day were actually union made. He’ll also discuss an important new anti-sweatshop movement initiative – the Alliance for Responsible Apparel Manufacturing and Purchasing (ARAMP) – that aims to build a sweatshop-free apparel sector in the United States, beginning with Los Angeles, the city with the largest number of garment workers in this country.
Register at https://aftmichigan.org/events/ to receive the Zoom information for this session.
Congratulations Al; Welcome Tameka!
A big thank you and congratulations to Al Lerini on his retirement from Dearborn Public Schools and the presidency of the Dearborn Federation of Support Employees, AFT 4750. Al served many roles in the local union over his career and has always been a rock solid trade unionist and advocate for DFSE members. DFSE and Dearborn Public Schools celebrated Al’s career Friday night (with guests including State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko). A big AFT welcome to Tameka Young, who is stepping into Al’s shoes as local president, to carry on his legacy representing Dearborn support staff.
Help Us Identify the Most Urgent Affordability Issues
Workers are being crushed by the soaring costs of basics—housing, healthcare, child care, college, even the cost of keeping up with credit cards or medical bills. Forty-three percent of young Americans say they are struggling financially or “just getting by.” Two-thirds of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck—and our members are not immune; they are feeling this pressure too. Every trip to the grocery store, every prescription filled and every rent payment is a reminder that the economy isn’t working for working people.
Just as we did when we first tackled student debt, we’re starting by listening. This short survey will take only a few minutes and will help us identify the most urgent affordability issues, whether it’s medical debt, rising healthcare premiums or the cost of housing. Your answers will help us shape the resources we build and the work we take on to help members get the relief they need.
Take this important AFT Debt Survey and help us create resources on tackling debt for our members.
Tell Congress: Keep ICE Out of Schools
The violent acts of ICE in Minnesota last week–including detention of educators and assault on school property–highlights exactly why ICE must abide by long-standing respect for sensitive locations and stay away from schools.
Tell Congress–keep ICE out of schools!
P.S. The AFT has resources for communities targeted by ICE, including “Know Your Rights” information and a checklist for a family immigration emergency plan. You can find them at aft.org/immigration.
WEBINAR Stress Relief and Educator Wellness
Take a deep breath. Join this free, for-credit webinar to explore guided meditation, mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques tailored for educators; your well-being matters.
Register Here:
Union Plus Scholarships
Need help with the cost of college? You can’t afford not to apply for the 2026 Union Plus Scholarship! These awards are for any year of college studies and reserved exclusively for you: union members, their spouses and dependents. Union Plus Scholarships help union families with the cost of college, with scholarship awards ranging from $500 to $4000.
Apply HERE today! Application deadline is January 31, 2026.
Black Men in Unions Conference
This year’s Black Men In Unions Conference theme is Hands That Build, Voice That Lead, Actions that Define.The conference will be held at Somerset Inn (Troy, MI) on February 19-22, 2026.
Registration is now open! Visit the BMIU26 page to register online or download a printable registration form.
If you have questions or need assistance with registration, please email clcs.info@umich.edu.
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
