Know Your Rights Training – May 20
As our communities across Michigan are impacted by increased ICE presence and attacks, join us for a Know Your Rights Training with attorney Liz Jacob from Sugar Law Center on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 5:30-7 PM over Zoom. Learn about your rights as well as support and resources for AFT Michigan members.
Learn more about the session and register here today!
Open Letter to Support Flint Reopener
Beginning on June 1, 2026, UM Flint LEO Lecturers will begin bargaining for increased annual raises for the final two years of the LEO-Lecturer contract. The contract is being reopened because between the 2023-24 and 2025-26 academic years, UM Flint’s undergraduate credit hour generation increased by an incredible 19.4%! The contract only required a 10% increase over this time period to reopen the salary article.
Please sign on to this Open Letter addressed to the UM Regents, President Grasso, and Flint Chancellor Alexander and Flint Provost Parrill-Baker in support of Flint LEO Salary negotiations upcoming in June!
Activists Never Retire: Michigan Seniors Make Their Voices Heard in Lansing
Andella White, AFT Michigan Vice-President and AFT Michigan Retiree Network Co-Chair attended this event in Lansing, along with senior activists from many other groups!!
The AI Educator Brain Career Readiness: Prepping Students for the Future of Work
Jobs are changing. Skills are shifting. And students are already stepping into new roles. The question is: How are we preparing them for what’s next?
Join AFT Share My Lesson on May 19 for The AI Educator Brain on Career Readiness: Prepping Students for the Future of Work. Register now for this free webinar.
Join Kelly Booz and Sari Beth Rosenberg for a practical conversation about how AI is reshaping the future of work—and what educators can do right now to help students build the skills that actually last. In this session, we’ll explore:
- How AI is changing career pathways and workplace expectations;
- Practical classroom uses for career exploration, portfolios, and interview prep;
- Which human skills matter more than ever in an AI world; and
- How to prepare students without chasing every new app or trend.
This isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about helping students think critically, communicate clearly, adapt confidently—and prepare for careers that may not even exist yet.
AFT Free Affordability Clinics
Medical bills, student loans and credit cards are pushing too many working families to the brink. That’s why the AFT is hosting free Affordability Clinics as part of our Fight for Affordability campaign. Learn how to reduce, dispute and manage your debt—and understand your rights. Register for an upcoming clinic.
Young Workers Conference 20206 – June 25-27
The Young Workers Conference will be held on June 25-27 in Troy, MI, at the Somerset Inn. The theme for 2026 is “Empower & Lead: Now, Tomorrow, & Beyond”.
This conference is open to participants of ALL AGES, and like all of our events, we encourage folks of all backgrounds to participate. We especially encourage workers who are early in their career or who are new to union organizing to join us!
There’s a diverse set of workshops, including Finance 201, Labor Law & Organizing, and Grievance Handling. Check out the YWC26 page to read about the courses and register! You can also download a PDF version of the registration flyer and send it by mail, email, or fax!
Professional Development Workshop
The Hidden Challenge (Mental Well-Being) in PreK-12
AFT Michigan David Hecker Building
2661 E. Jefferson – Detroit 48207
June 6, 2026
8:30am-4:30pm
Significant mental well-being challenges in PreK-12 education can negatively affect both students and educators. This in-service will examine key challenges affecting student achievement/growth and staff motivation. It will also offer practical, research-based strategies designed to support more positive outcomes for both students and educators.
Mental Health Awareness Month Lessons & Resources
How can we help students better understand mental health—and support their well-being? This collection offers classroom-ready lessons and resources that explore stress, resilience, mindfulness and emotional health.
Click here for more information.
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 AANHPI Heritage Month
Explore standards-aligned lesson plans and resources to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage in your classroom. This K-12 collection supports educators and families with classroom-ready activities for AANHPI Heritage Month and beyond. Discover stories of leaders in politics, science, sports and the arts while teaching students about the history of racism, resilience and identity. These resources are ideal for social studies, English language arts, and social and emotional learning integration, and they help promote culturally responsive teaching, empathy and equity. The resources are also perfect for classroom discussion, homework or community projects.
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
