AFT Michigan Members Stand Up for Democracy in Macomb County
On Saturday morning, AFT Michigan activists, joined by the MEA, canvassed in Macomb County for Governor Whitmer, State Rep Kevin Hertel running for the State Senate, and other endorsed candidates. As Kevin has COVID, we were joined by his brother, State Senator Curtis Hertel. Thanks to all who canvassed giving your time to elect candidates who support all members.
Saturday afternoon, members of the Macomb Community College Faculty Organization, AFT Local 6216, gathered together with students to stand up for values of inclusion, democracy, and education during a Trump speech at MCC.
Vote to Support Macomb Special Needs Kids
Special needs children in Macomb county will greatly benefit from a bond proposal on the November 8 ballot. The funds, if approved by the voters, will be used for building costs and other critical equipment required by the Macomb ISD programs for use by special needs children. The bond will cost the average Macomb homeowner less than $20 per year. There are two AFT Michigan locals at the Macomb ISD: Macomb ISD Federation of Teachers, Local 2144 and Macomb ISD Federation of Paraprofessionals, Local 6216.
Vote to Support Public Transit in Metro Detroit
Enabling students to get to school and employees to get to work are on the November 8 ballot in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. Costing the average homeowner less than $10 per month, if passed by the voters, these proposals will maintain the mobility services SMART provides in Macomb and Wayne and expand transit services across all of Oakland.
Reading Opens the World Book Giveaway – October 8
AFT Michigan, the Detroit Federation of Teachers, and the Macomb Federation of Educators are hosting a Reading Opens The World Book Giveaway community event on Saturday, October 8. There will be three sites for the book giveaways where educators and community members may pick up free books:
Detroit area (download flyer):
Horatio Williams Foundation
1010 Antietam Ave, Detroit, MI
Macomb area (download flyer):
Macomb Fed of Educators
15300 E. 10 Mile, Eastpointe, MI
North Shore Building
20355 Masonic Blvd, St. Clair Shores, MI
School and community program staff must be registered with First Book to receive free books. Registration is free. To register in advance, please go to www.firstbook.org/AFT.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness- AFT Student Debt Clinics
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a free federal program that may allow you to have your federal student loans forgiven, tax-free. PSLF has been temporarily expanded to include more people, including many who were denied in the past.
- Don’t wait! Apply before Oct. 31, 2022, to take advantage of the temporary PSLF expansion.
- Enroll in Summer, the free AFT member benefit, for help in managing your student loans and to apply for PSLF. Visit aft.org/benefits/Summer to get started today.
AFT will be hosting webinars every Thursday, and additional clinics every day from Wed 9/28-10/4, Register for an AFT Student Debt Clinic Webinar at: cvent.me/17XZka
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!
Upcoming Union Building Events
| New Officer Orientation | Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 | 5:00 – 6:30 pm | Click for Details and Registration |
Justice Leaders Collaborative (JLC) Core Course
The Justice Leaders Core Course is open to all AFT Michigan members passionate about issues of equity, inclusion and social justice. Learning will focus on issues of privilege, oppression and inequality along lines of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. Participants will come to understand their own social identities, biases, and prejudices; increase their knowledge about the histories and present realities of various social identity groups; and begin considering how to incorporate this knowledge and awareness into their practice.
Our next cohort of the Justice Leaders Core Course will run 6 consecutive Mondays, 6:00-8:00 5pm, starting October 10th. Nearly 100 AFT Michigan leaders from all constituencies have now completed the Core Course. To register for the Justice Leaders Core Course fill out this form: https://forms.gle GhsHNMprbSefabPb6
UM-Dearborn Center for Labor and Community Studies Events
Saturday, October 22, 2022
10am-noon
To Join the Zoom Meeting: https://umich.zoom.us/j/92824881692
Or call: 312 626 6799. Meeting ID: 928 2488 1692
6-week Course on Dearborn Campus
Thursdays 11am-1pm
October 31, 2022 – December 5, 2022
November 3-5, 2022
The Fall Leadership Institute offers workshops for everyone – from seasoned leaders and those aspiring for leadership. We welcome participants from all cultural or ethnic backgrounds.
Workshops:
- Advanced Social and Print Media
- NLRB-National Labor Relations Board Deep Dive
- Advanced Grievance Handling
- Effective Standing Committees
- Advanced Steward and Committeeperson Training
- Parliamentary Procedure
- Collective Bargaining
- Master Thinking Strategically
AFT Healthcare Professional Issues Conference
None of us thought our profit-driven healthcare system could get much worse, and then COVID-19 arrived. Attendees at this year’s Healthcare PIC will hear from experts about using work-site data in advocating for real solutions to the problems in our work sites and our broader healthcare system. You will also hear about ways we can exert our power and influence to push real solutions on imminent changes in our industry, such as new models of care, ways to use technology, and healthcare jobs and licensure. The status quo is not sustainable, and we have the power to have our voices heard.
In solidarity
David Hecker
President
