AFT Member Legislators on Key Committees
Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and House Speaker Joe Tate have made committee assignments and AFT members are in strong positions to advance our issues.
In the Senate, Erika Geiss (WCCC Local 2000) is Vice-Chair of the Education Committee, while also serving on the Economic and Community Development, Health Policy, Housing and Human Services, Oversight ,and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. In the House, Regina Weiss (Detroit Teachers Local 231) chairs the School Aid and Department of Education Appropriations Committee, while also serving on the full Appropriations and Education Committees. Carrie Rheingans (UM Lecturers Local 6244) serves as Vice-Chair of the new Higher Education Committee, while also serving on Health Policy. Dylan Wegela (Dearborn Teachers Local 681) serves on the Education, Labor, Elections and Ethics and Oversight Committees.
Wilson-Lumpkins Heads Detroit Teachers
Last week, Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins was sworn in as the new president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT). Lakia was the local’s Executive Vice President. Lakia’s intelligence, passion for public education, and her commitment to DFT members has been proven during her years as an activist.
Lakia replaces Terrence Martin, who served the DFT members as Treasurer, staff member, Executive Vice President and President. During his two decades in these positions, Terrence helped lead the local through some very difficult times, including the possible dissolution of the district. His strong leadership has benefited those the DFT represents, students and our community. As AFT Michigan Secretary-Treasurer, Terrence brings much to the table.
Non Tenure-Track Faculty Leaders Prepare for Bargaining
Last Saturday, bargaining team members from EMUFT 9102, HFC-AFO 337, WMU-PIO 1903, and WSU-UPTF 477 gathered at Henry Ford College for a joint bargaining training in preparation for their upcoming negotiations, including discussions of how the locals might support each other in the months ahead.
End Gun Violence
Last Wednesday, in cities throughout the state, community leaders and activists sent a strong message that the legislature and governor need to take strong action to curb gun violence. In Oxford, students spoke passionately about the need for laws to hopefully end, but realistically greatly minimize, gun violence. The goal of the coalition is to push the legislature and governor to act quickly on: universal background checks, red flag laws, safe storage, and domestic violence protections. I joined activists at the Church of the Messiah in Detroit to speak out on these issues.
Green Schools Job Posting
Climate Jobs National Resource Center (CJNRC) is hiring a Michigan Field Campaigner to build a labor-led coalition —representing 600,000 union workers— in Michigan to make our public schools healthier, safer, and carbon free. For more information and to apply click here.
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
In solidarity
David Hecker
President
