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EMU AAUP/AFT Reaches Tentative Agreement, Ending Strike

The Eastern Michigan University  American Association of University Professors / American Federation of Teachers has reached a tentative agreement on  a new contract covering more than 500 tenured and tenure-track faculty.  The  local union went on strike this past Wednesday.

Matt Kirkpatrick, associate professor of English language and literature at EMU and chair of the EMU-AAUP/AFT negotiating team stated,  “This is an important victory for our members – and most importantly for our students. We took a stand to maintain and strengthen quality education at EMU, and this agreement moves us forward.”

“Solidarity works,” said Mohamed El-Sayed, professor of engineering at EMU and president of EMU-AAUP/AFT. “I’ll tell you, we were just overwhelmed by the loud and proud support we’ve received this week, from students, parents, alumni and our AAUP and AFT colleagues from all across the country.”  

The local received tremendous support from Democratic elected officials, students, community and labor, including AFT President Randi Weingarten and AAUP President Irene Mulvey, who both joined the picket line. A big thank you to all the AFT Michigan members who came out and congratulations to EMU AAUP/AFT.

Red for Ed Walks Kick Off

On Saturday, we kicked off our Red for Ed walks on Saturday mornings in partnership with the Michigan Education Association in support of Gretchen Whitmer and our endorsed candidates.

At our Detroit office, we were joined by Secretary of State (and former AFT member) Jocelyn Benson and then headed out to knock doors. Next Saturday, Sep. 17, we’ll be in Sterling Heights and Benton Harbor.

Register using this link.

Support Michigan Medicine Nurses

Members of the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council (MNA-UMPNC) have been working without a contract since July 1, and voted 96%-4% to authorize their bargaining team to call for a strike as they push for a fair contract that includes an end to understaffing through safe and contractually enforceable nurse-to-patient workload ratios, fair wages that recruit and retain nurses, and an end to unsafe mandatory overtime.  

Sign the UMPNC community support petition at: https://www.minurses.org/unitedwithnurses/

Two-Thirds of Michigan Voters Want Stricter Gun Safety Laws

Two-thirds of Michigan voters support enacting stricter gun safety laws aimed at preventing gun violence in Michigan.  This is from an EPIC-MRA survey commissioned by AFT Michigan, MEA, the Michigan Department of Education and Progress Michigan.  A proposal to ban all firearms from schools and college and university campuses, except for law enforcement officers, is also supported by two-thirds, including 91% of Democrats and majorities of Republicans and NRA members. Of thirteen specific gun safety proposals presented in the survey, eight were supported by a majority of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, gun owners, CPL license holders and NRA members. These findings will be used to craft and advance public policy to reduce gun violence.

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

Union Treasurers 101Tuesday, Sept. 13, 20225:00 – 6:30 pmClick for Details and Registration
Membership Data Coordinators 101Wednesday, Sept. 14, 20225:00 – 6:30 pmClick for Details and Registration
Fall Leadership SummitSaturday, Sept. 24, 20229:00am – 3:00 pmClick for Details and Registration
New Officer OrientationThursday, Oct. 6, 20225:00 – 6:30 pmClick for Details and Registration

In solidarity

David Hecker

President

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