Social Media Solidarity with WAU
Wayne Academic Union (AAUP-AFT Local 6075) represents ~1700 faculty and academic staff at Wayne State University. They’re calling for fair compensation after a decade of wage stagnation, flexible work arrangements for academic staff and money for students facing housing instability. As they near the final stages of bargaining, they need your support in order to make this happen. Will you have WAU backs by posting on social media on June 25? Link to images here.
Social media caption language: We stand in solidarity with WAU as they bargain for the working conditions they deserve! Invest in education, invest in people! @WAU6075 @WayneState @WayneStateUniversity @HigherEdLaborUnited #SolidarityWAU #UnionStrong
EMUFT Spreads Union Love at the Ypsilanti Farmer’s Market Once Again
Carrying on a tradition that started during their campaign to merge the full and part time lecturer’s contract last year, EMUFT enjoyed a lovely Saturday afternoon at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market. Union members spent the day sharing with visitors the ways in which unions and communities can work together to create a better world for all. Several people walked away with an Edna poster, sticker or button in hand and a promise to keep in touch.
Lansing Community College Administrative Association Ratifies New Contract
91% of the membership at LCCAA ratified an historic union contract this past week. At the end of the last bargaining cycle, the union and management agreed that there was a major issue with salary inequity and classification. Both parties agreed to hire a consultant to offer potential solutions to a system that had become overly complex and outdated. Over the past 18 months the union and administration worked with the outside consultant group to do a classification and salary study. Using Interest Based Bargaining and the results of this study resulted in a complete overhaul of how employees are classified and placed on the salary table. This new system will provide better opportunities for advancement and allows for a more equitable pay system. Most current employees will see an immediate pay increase. All employees, except those that are at the top of the pay scale will see a second increase on November 1. Years 2 and 3 of the contract all employees will see a 1% table increase. Those not at the top of the pay scale will also see a 2-3.5% salary increase. Those that have reached the top of the salary table will receive a 2% stipend at the end of the fiscal year. Probation was reduced overall to 12 months. Degree recognition stipends for earning an advanced degree were also significantly increased.
UMMAP Certifies Hospital Services Unit – Now Represents 4600
On Thursday, more than 500 health care professionals at the University of Michigan officially certified the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 6739, as their union.
The workforce consists of pharmacy techs, licensed practical nurses, interpreters, transplant
coordinators, and dietetic assistants and technicians. UMMAP, a multi-bargaining unit union of health care workers spanning across Michigan Medicine, now represents 4,600 employees across the University of Michigan Health System.
Amazing work by everyone at UMMAP – now on to the first contract!
WEOCFT Votes to Form Union
Teachers at the three schools who are part of the Washtenaw Educational Options Consortium (WEOC) voted to form the Washtenaw Educational Options Consortium Federation of Teachers (WEOCFT) last week by a vote of 39-11. WEOCFT includes around 75 teachers and allied professionals from three schools: the Early College Alliance (ECA) at Eastern Michigan University, the Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education (WAVE), and the Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy (WIHI/WIMA).
Congratulations and welcome to our new members!
Join Kim Kelly at the Michigan Labor History Society – June 22
Please join fellow unionists at this year’s annual meeting featuring one of the most dynamic labor writers in the United States. Kim Kelly is the author of FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor, chronicling the struggles of American workers. (more)
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!
Celebrating and Teaching Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed the end of slavery to individuals in Galveston, Texas. Abraham Lincoln had outlawed slavery more than two years prior to this with the Emancipation Proclamation, but the enforcement of the end of slavery in Texas had been poor and inconsistent until Granger arrived in the state with Union troops and made his proclamation, known as General Order No. 3. Today, June 19 is recognized as a holiday called Juneteenth (short for June 19th), on which we celebrate the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States. Additionally, Juneteenth rose in prominence in the public eye, when President Biden declared it as a national holiday on June 17, 2021. Within this collection of Juneteenth teaching resources, you will find lesson plans, activities and other materials to help educate and engage students in learning about the Reconstruction era history and politics surrounding the Juneteenth holiday, and the role Black joy plays in celebrating this heritage.
Order AFT New Member Organizing Materials
AFT members unite to fight for real solutions because we understand that when we band together at work and in our communities, we can create a better life for all. Together, we’re fighting the extremists who want to destroy public education, dismantle our democracy, defund public services, decimate healthcare and demonize the vulnerable—and we’re standing up to the privatizers who are more concerned about profits than people.
The greater our numbers, the greater our voice and power. We’re now 1.75 million members strong—and growing! With 118 new units organized since June 2023, we’re now the second-largest healthcare union and the largest higher education union.
To help you continue growing and gaining power, we’ve refreshed our organizing materials. Order today at go.aft.org/AFTmaterials.
Materials are available year-round. Whenever you are planning an organizing push, union event or other mobilizing opportunity, you can select the resources you need, including organizing brochures that show prospective members how to amplify their voice, a Value of Belonging poster that highlights our accomplishments, pocket calendars, and professional learning options and benefits brochures that reinforce our day-to-day support for our members.
Place your order and spread the word: We’re creating a better life for all!
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
