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EMUFT Organizes to Strengthen Local

All full and part time lecturers at Eastern Michigan University are now in one bargaining unit.  Since 2011, EMUFT 9102 has been a union divided between two units – full-timers and part-timers, each with their own contracts. At the end of 2022, EMUFT 9102 embarked on a merger vote managed by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC). Both units overwhelmingly voted to unify the contract, leading EMUFT to bargain a single contract for the first time this spring, and strengthening the unions fight for a new contract. This success is partly because of the tireless effort of two Member Organizers, Maria Goodrich and Taylor Heckman. Maria and Taylor both took part in the MOI (Member Organizing Institute) this fall and applied what they learned to their conversations. Without their initiative and collaboration, voter participation would have likely been much lower. Congratulations to EMUFT President Daric Thorne and all of EMUFT.

AAUP-AFT Member Chairs MSU Board

Congratulations to Dr. Rema Reynolds, member of WSU AAUP-AFT,  for being elected chair of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.  Dr. Reynolds is a Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Wayne State University.  She was first elected to the MSU Board in 2018.  AFT Michigan has two locals at MSU:  the Union of Non-Tenure Track Faculty and the Graduate Employees Union.

Fecteau Reappointed by Whitmer to Tenure Commission

Governor Whitmer has reappointed Michelle Fecteau to the Tenure Commission.  Michelle was a long time Wayne State University AAUP-AFT Local 6075 member and Executive Director.  She now heads up the Labor and Community Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Congratulations Michelle and thanks for serving.

Cook Sworn in at Royal Oak School Board

Last Thursday evening, Michelle Cook, immediate past president of the Hamtramck Federation of Teachers and a former Administrative Board member, was sworn in as a member of the Royal Oak School Board, having won election this past November.  Good news for  Royal Oak students, teachers and staff. 

Congratulations Michelle.

Union Building Institute- February 4, 2023

AFT Michigan’s Union Building Institute will take place on February 4, 2023, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, at UM-Dearborn Fairlane North. Sessions are designed to help all members develop skills to build power at their worksites and unions. With a morning and two afternoon sessions, participants will have the opportunity to design their own UBI agendas by selecting up to 3 workshops from 14 sessions being offered to develop their knowledge and skills around organizing, team building, bargaining, and social justice.

Read descriptions about all the sessions being offered at UBI here.​ Register for Union Building Institute at aftmichigan.org/union-building-events. Please reach out to Meenakshi Mukherjee (mmukherjee@aftmichigan.org) with any questions.

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! 

What is Labor’s Legislative Agenda for Michigan in 2023?

Free Virtual Symposium

Saturday, February 18, 2023, 10 am – noon

The political landscape has changed with the November 2022 elections. More pro-labor elected officials are now in control in Lansing, but only by slim majorities.  What does this mean for Labor in Michigan?

Join Labor activists from across the state for an interactive conversation on Labor’s agenda and ways to accomplish these  goals.   AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber and AFT Michigan President David Hecker will lead the discussion on Labor’s priorities. We will also delve into strategies for achieving these goals to improve worker rights in our state.

Join the Zoom Meeting

https://umich.zoom.us/j/97561482982

Or call: 346-248-7799.  Meeting ID:  97561482982

Click here for more information

Strategic Contract Bargaining 

Thursdays 6pm-8pm

March 2, 2023 – April 6, 2023

This course will teach you effective techniques of bargaining local/main table agreements. Come learn the legalities and do’ and don’ts of the very legal document that dictates your wages, health care, safety, benefits and rights on and off the shop floor. Learn strategies of effective representation to ensure fair and equitable agreements for your constituency. Course is taught by veteran union bargainer Andrea Hunter.

Click here for more information 

Professional Development

Student Agency in the Classroom

Feb. 4, 2023 Virtual Workshop

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This workshop will take a deeper look into the inner dimensions of student agency, what it is, why it is needed, and how it can translate into good instructional practice.  Leading to both academic and social emotional growth for learners.

Participants will receive 6 SCECHs after completion of the workshop.

Click here to register.

In solidarity

David Hecker

President

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