AFT Michigan Healthcare Issues Conference
All three of our healthcare locals–the Alliance of Resident Physicians, United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals, and United Physician Assistants of Michigan Medicine–were represented at our very first Healthcare Constituency Issues Conference Saturday in Dearborn. Thank you to AFT Michigan Vice President and UPAMM President Jill Hasen for helping me welcome the group and to all the leaders who participated in great conversations about union-building, legislative advocacy, and the issues we will be fighting for on behalf of our members and patients. It was an exciting kickoff to working with our newest constituency and we are looking forward to great things to come!
Teacher Eval Bills Head to the Governor
Thanks to the collective efforts of educators across the state, late Wednesday night, the State House passed our priority bills that address key changes to teacher evaluation. The Senate concurred and the bills now head to Gov. Whitmer for her approval, meaning the following changes will take effect for the 2024-25 school year:
- Make teacher evaluations subject to collective bargaining.
- Provide effective teachers with biennial or triennial evaluations (subject to bargaining).
- Change the probationary period for a teacher from five to four school years, when they have been rated as effective on 3 consecutive year-end performance evaluations.
- Reduce the student growth requirement to 20% of the evaluation rating, remove the requirement that state M-STEP data be included in evaluations, and require decisions about the use of particular growth assessments or student learning objectives be collectively bargained.
LEO Kicks Off Bargaining
On Friday, UM lecturers and allies gathered on the UM-Ann Arbor Campus to celebrate the first day of lecturer bargaining! Read more about it on the LEO blog: https://www.leounion.org/blog/1027-bargaining-kickoff-recap
This Friday, negotiations move to the Dearborn Campus and allies are invited to a Kickoff Event at 10:30am! Register here: https://linktr.ee/leounionevents
UMMAP Gears Up to Negotiate First Contract at Michigan Medicine
Also on Friday, Penni Toney, President of the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals, AFT Local 6739, officially submitted our intent to begin bargaining a first contract covering thousands of professionals at Michigan Medicine. UMMAP is looking forward to establishing fairness and consistency across the UM Health System through our negotiations as we ensure our members receive the respect and recognition they deserve!
Election Day is Tuesday!
Election Day is Tuesday! Do not forget to vote tomorrow (if you haven’t already cast your ballot early).
Find your polling place: HERE
See what’s on your ballot: HERE
Detroit Casino Workers Need a Raise
Please do not patronize the casinos while our union siblings are on strike. Updates can be found at https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/
AFT ELearning Platform: Reading Comprehension Instruction
We’re excited to share a new online module for members on the AFT’s eLearning platform: Reading Comprehension Instruction. From Oct. 30 through Nov. 20, this 10-hour module will address how to teach reading comprehension effectively, focusing on best practices. The content is appropriate for all K-12 teachers who need help to increase their students’ comprehension of text, whether the text comes from literature or a textbook. Participants will have opportunities for interaction and engagement, including short videos, research, journaling and knowledge checks. A certificate of 10 contact hours will be provided upon full completion of the module.
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!
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In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
