EMUFT Kicks Off Bargaining
Last Friday, members and community supporters of the Eastern Michigan University Federation of Teachers (EMUFT), AFT Local 9102 rallied outside of Strong Hall as the union and administrative teams began bargaining a new contract in which both full-time and part-time lecturers will be represented as a single bargaining unit with a single contract. The union’s bargaining platform is ambitious and focused on improving compensation and benefits, reducing workload for full-time lecturers, and building pathways to full-time appointments for part- time lecturers.
Ruby Newbold – Trailblazer for Women’s & Civil Rights
Last Tuesday, I attended the memorial service for Ruby Newbold, longtime president of the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees and leader within the state and national AFT. Many current and former leaders who served with Ruby attended, including AFT President Randi Weingarten, Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Loretta Johnson, and many more. Among the many moving tributes to Ruby’s life was a resolution presented by DAEOE declaring September 10th of each year as Ruby Newbold Day.
AFT Michigan Spring Leadership Summit – April 15
The AFT Michigan Spring Leadership Summit will take place on Saturday, April 15, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at UM Dearborn Fairlane North,19000 Hubbard Drive – Dearborn, MI 48126. Leaders will select a “position-specific cohort” to attend in the morning and constituency groups will meet in the afternoon. Local presidents, treasurers, membership data coordinators, contract enforcement coordinators, and political coordinators are particularly encouraged to attend.
Click here to register.
Queer Caucus Monthly Meeting – March 29
Interested AFT Michigan’s Queer Caucus? Join us for our next monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 29 at 5:00 pm (via Zoom).
AFT Michigan Queer Caucus is a space where LGBTQIA+2S union members join together to build collective power, develop organizing skills, increase dignity & respect on the job, socialize, and support each other as queer, professional workers.
To receive the zoom link, contact Erin Lavin (AFT Michigan staff rep) – elavin@aftmichigan.org or fill out this interest form: bit.ly/QueerAFTMichigan
Union Retirees Lobby in Lansing April 12
The Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, an AFL-CIO group, is meeting in Lansing on Wednesday, April 12, beginning at 10:00 a.m. After a brief meeting and legislative update, participants will go to the Capital and meet with state representatives and state senators, and personally lobby on behalf of our union retirees and members. There is a lot going on in Lansing, from repealing the pension tax and RTW, to funding local and state pension plans, to lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
2023 Michigan School for Women Workers
Women in Leadership Empowering Us All!
April 27-29, Somerset Inn, Troy, Michigan
The Michigan School for Women Workers 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. We welcome participants from all genders and all cultural or ethnic backgrounds.
Click here for more information and to register.
Free Webinar on Labor Leader César Chávez
Join the Rackham Graduate School for an exploration of César Chávez, his impact, and the importance of service to a community. This webinar will be presented by Christine Chávez, outreach coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Christine has made a lifetime commitment to civil rights, the labor movement, and community organizing.
March 31
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Click Here to Join the Zoom Webinar at noon.
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!
The AFT TEACH (Together Educating America’s Children) conference will be held July 21-23 in Washington, D.C. Registration is now open! Register before June 1 and save $200!
AFT TEACH provides an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration and ideas to bring back to school for the year ahead. Each professional development workshop is custom-developed for TEACH by AFT members and other experts to directly focus on tools and strategies to support educators and their efforts to help kids and communities succeed.
Read on for the top five things you need to know about TEACH.
Register now or ask your union local if it’s sending a delegation.
In solidarity
David Hecker
President
