Oakland University Medical School Faculty Join the Union!
On Tuesday, June 10, the tenure/tenure-track, non-clinical faculty of Oakland University William Beaumont (OUWB) Medical School voted to join Oakland University Chapter AAUP-AFT Local 6762. OUWB, founded in 2008, currently enrolls approximately 500 students and has 38 tenure/tenure-track, non-clinical faculty. The medical school faculty will officially join the over 800 members of the existing Oakland University Chapter AAUP-AFT Local 6762.
Kirtland Community College FT Ratifies 4 Year Contract
The Kirtland Community College Federation of Teachers ratified a 4 year contract that included four new steps, HSA contributions to match deductibles, and a revision of the sick bank policy so that more days are earned with seniority. Other wins include a clarification of expectations for summer work and the formation of a committee of union representatives and administration to examine workload issues across the disciplines with a goal of creating more equitable workloads. This addresses changes in accreditation standards and discipline specific duties other than those covered by the contract that have become major concerns for the faculty.
Michigan’s Budget Needs to Put Working Families and Education First
The House Republican budget plan eliminates free meals for Michigan schools, making it even harder for parents and the working class to make ends meet. Enough is enough. We need a budget that puts working families and education first: https://act.aflcio.org/…/tell_michigan_lawmakers_to…/
4th Annual AFT Michigan Pride Picnic – June 27
Join together with AFT Michigan’s Queer Caucus for our 4th annual Pride Picnic on Friday, June 27, from 4-7pm at Ford Field Park, South Shelter, 22001 Cherry Hill, Dearborn, MI. This is a relaxed, friendly gathering with typical picnic fare, games/art/music, and more. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided, bring a dish or snack to pass around! Free and convenient parking along with restrooms, shade, playground and paved paths.
This event is open to everyone (LGBTQ+ union members, as well as supportive non-LGBTQ+ allies in our union community).
Please RSVP here so we can plan for food and other fun activities. Contact John Ware for more information (jware@aftmichigan.org).
New Episode of the AFT Michigan Podcast
We were excited to welcome Jennifer Sheridan Moss, President of the Wayne Academic Union, AFT-AAUP 6075 to this episode of the AFT Michigan Podcast. Click the link below to find it on YouTube, like and share!
Stop the Attacks on Children’s Healthcare and Nutrition
As early as this Wednesday, the Senate will vote on President Trump’s deceptively named One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would make deep cuts to the programs working families depend on—all to give billionaires and corporations yet another tax cut.
If we’re going to stop this bill, elected lawmakers need to hear from you and your community right now. A few voices may be easy for legislators to brush aside, but together we can send a message that is impossible to ignore.
Here’s how the bill will hurt American families if we do not stop it:
- Medicaid coverage for more than 16 million Americans will be slashed. Without the funding Medicaid provides, hospitals and nursing homes will be forced to close, leaving families without the care they need and putting hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers out of a job.
- 8 million people will be kicked off food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including 2.5 million children and over 500,000 older Americans.
- States will be prevented from passing laws to protect kids and other users from manipulative chatbots, addictive artificial intelligence and data harvesting for a decade. Trump’s bill would give Big Tech a free pass to deploy unregulated AI tools impacting children’s health and workers’ safety.
- Public schools will have fewer resources because private school voucher donors will avoid capital gains taxes, reducing state tax revenue by up to $1.1 billion over the next 10 years if it is made permanent.
- The cost of college will increase as a result of cuts to financial aid programs meant to help reduce barriers for all students to gain skills to help their families and communities with a rewarding career.
July 17 National Day of Action – Good Trouble Lives On
We are facing the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations. Whether you’re outraged by attacks on voting rights, the gutting of essential services, disappearances of our neighbors, or the assault on free speech and our right to protest – this movement is for you!
Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of action to respond to the attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration. Together, we’ll remind them that in America, the power lies with the people. Learn more, host or find an event near you! https://goodtroubleliveson.org/#about
Worker Pride Conference – Special Single-Day Format – July 19
The Workers’ Pride Conference invites all union and non-union workers and activists from allied organizations to share ideas and grow skills for responding to the challenges facing working people. The conference draws instructors, facilitators, and coordinators from the LGBTQ+ community. We welcome participants from all genders and all cultural or ethnic backgrounds.
Click here for more information on the six workshop options and to register.
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!
Gun Violence Prevention Month
June is National Gun Violence Prevention Month. End Gun Violence Michigan invites you to join their Silence the Violence events happening throughout the month of June. RSVP to one of the many events happening in communities across Michigan!
Union Plus Launching 5th Annual Unions Power America Campaign: $300,000 in Prizes
This year’s Union Plus Unions Power America (UPA) campaign is launching on Tuesday, June 17, with the Hometown Heroes Contest to celebrate hardworking union members. Unions Power America runs through the summer and includes the contest, sweepstakes and a hybrid virtual/in-person live event on Labor Day to announce this year’s winners. Union Plus will award $300,000 in cash prizes and give away five amazing trips. Campaign timeline below:
- Hometown Heroes Contest, June 17 to July 8: A Hometown Hero is anyone who goes the extra mile at work, supports their neighbors through hard times or does whatever it takes to take care of their family. Entrants are nominated by others or by themselves.
- Unions Power America Sweepstakes, July 15 to Aug. 18: Union members earn more chances to win.
- Unions Power America Labor Day Live Event, Sept. 1: Winner announcements and celebration.
Visit unionplus.org/laborday to stay up to date.
AFT Michigan will be closed the week of June 30-July 4. Local leaders facing emergencies should of course feel free to text us if needed.
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
