Join Pride@Work Michigan!
Did you know the American Federation of Teachers was the first union to “come out” and categorically oppose the firing of workers because of their sexual orientation? It’s true! Back in 1970, just a year after the momentous Stonewall Uprising, the AFT went on record stating that gays and lesbians had a right to dignified work free from discrimination, harassment, and hate. Today, many union sisters, brothers, and non-binary siblings have real solidarity, but that doesn’t mean our work is over. That’s why workers come together at Pride at Work Michigan: to fight against exploitation, injustice, and bigotry, and to fight for workers’ rights and dignity! Members of Pride at Work understand that discrimination doesn’t benefit anyone but the boss, who can use ignorance and hate to drive workers apart, then keep us divided. More than just an injustice affecting one community, this kind of divisiveness hurts everyone because it prevents workers from building real, collective power! To learn how you can support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Workers and our Allies, come to a Pride at Work Michigan meeting. Everyone is welcome, organized or not!
Pride at Work is a constituency group of the AFL-CIO representing LGBTQ Labor and its Allies. Pride at Work Michigan is the state chapter of the national Pride at Work organization. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and through solidarity at your local union hall! Our next meeting is on May 20th at 6pm. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PrideatWorkMichigan to access the Zoom link. Questions? Contact WSU-GEOC/AFT 6123 member Jamie McQuaid (They/Them) at treasurer.geoc@gmail.com or AFT Michigan Field Rep Erin Lavin at elavin@aftmichigan.org.
You’re Invited to LEO Community Bargaining | May 14, 12-3pm
Allies are welcomed and encouraged to (virtually) join lecturers at UM for another day of community bargaining on Friday, May 14, as LEO works to ramp up the pressure to win a fair contract and create a more equitable U-M. Join in at 12pm for Lunch with LEO for a virtual collective action, then at 1pm, we’ll kick off the afternoon’s negotiations with LEO’s salary counter proposal. RSVP at https://bit.ly/LEOBargaining4
The Equity Challenge
The United Way of Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) has launched the 21-Day Equity Challenge. The Equity Challenge is a free, self-paced email and community engagement campaign that runs from May 21-June 18. Participants will receive an email each weekday during the Challenge that focuses on a different equity-based topic, which includes curated resources to learn more about historical inequities in our region and how they can take action to promote equity and inclusion within their day-to-day lives. In addition to daily emails, there is a virtual community-wide kickoff event, closing ceremony, and weekly facilitated roundtable sessions to discuss the topics with fellow participants. Sign up for the Challenge via this link: https://unitedwaysem.org/about-us/equity-and-inclusion/21-day-equity-challenge/.
MEJC School Funding Community Survey
If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for students and educators in your district? With over $6 billion in COVID relief funds headed our way, Michigan communities have an unprecedented opportunity to build back their schools better than ever. The Michigan Education Justice Coalition created a community voting tool so people across the state can vote on their top budget priorities. Help us show politicians what is important to our schools by voting and share with parent and community groups as well. michiganedjustice.org/communityvoting/
New Contract in Kingsley
The Kingsley Federation of Teachers secured a contract with positive gains to the wage scale, an off-scale stipend, and a boost to extra-curricular compensation. Congratulations to the excellent leadership team in Kingsley for their ability to build a solid relationship with administration and the Board of Education to move the district in a positive direction.
UPAMM Rallies for a Fair Contract
The Union of Physician Assistants at Michigan Medical rallied at the University of Michigan hospital May 4, as the negotiating team engaged in a bargaining bonanza of seven straight nine-hour days. Supporters from the Lecturers’ Employee Organization, the Graduate Employees Organization and other area unions joined in support. Negotiations to secure UPAMM’s first contract last week were productive; however, some key issues remain to be resolved.
2021 Rollie Hopgood Future Teachers Scholarship Award Applications Now Available!
AFT Michigan has three eligibility categories of the “Rollie Hopgood Future Teachers Scholarship Award” for qualifying individuals.
Scholarship categories and links to applications and forms are:
- Graduating senior of an AFT Michigan high school with the goal of becoming a teacher;
a. Application
- AFT Michigan PSRP dues paying member for at least one academic year enrolled (full- or part-time) in a teacher certification program at a college or university;
a. Application
and
- AFT Michigan dues paying member for at least one academic year son(s) and/or daughter(s) who is a graduating senior with the goal of becoming a teacher.
a. Application
Click here to download the applications. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Linda Moore at tftlindamoore@gmail.com.
Upcoming Professional Development
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Celebrate the generations of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who have enriched global society, playing a critical role in its development and success. With our wealth of prek-12 digital resources, you and your students can explore the remarkable contributions that AAPI Americans have given to history, culture, the sciences, industry, government and more. In addition to recognizing the vast achievements of the AAPI community, work with your students and community to understand diverse perspectives and the difficult struggles that AAPI Americans have grappled with throughout the history of the United States.
In solidarity,
David Hecker, President
