AFT Michigan Members at Metro Detroit Labor Day March
It was great to see so many of you out on a beautiful Labor Day morning. Before we stepped off, we were joined by our next Governor Jocelyn Benson, our next Attorney General Eli Savit, our next Secretary of State Garlin Gilchrist, and our next U.S. Senator Abdul El-Sayed. As is our tradition, our MEA siblings joined us for the march, which concluded with an event at Michigan Central. A great way to kick off a critical fall season!
Hamtramck Teachers Attend Hamtramck Labor Day Parade
The Hamtramck Federation of Teachers ended their summer in style by marching in the annual Hamtramck Labor Day Parade alongside Abdul El-Sayed, the Michigan Democratic nominee for the US Senate, and State Senator Stephanie Chang.
THIS MONDAY, SEPT 14: Join MEA/AFT Michigan Webinar with Recommended Education Board Candidates
The candidates down the ballot in statewide education board races are critical to our members across the state at both the PreK-12 and Higher Education levels. That’s why we’re teaming up with MEA for a webinar this coming Monday, Sept. 14, from 7-8 p.m., with the recommended candidates for these important but often overlooked races:
State Board of Education: Judy Pritchett & Tiffany Tilley
Michigan State University Board of Trustees: Brianna Scott & Kelly Tebay Zemke
University of Michigan Board of Regents: Paul Brown & Amir Makled
Wayne State University Board of Governors: Shereef Akeel & Richard Mack
RSVP for Monday evening’s members-only webinar to learn about these important races that will be on the statewide ballot (with absentee voting beginning in just two weeks) and what you can do to keep pro-education, pro-labor majorities on these four critical education boards.
https://www.mobilize.us/mea/event/1028791
Canvass Season Is Officially Underway!
Saturday marked our first door-to-door canvass launch of the season in Hamtramck and Detroit, and it was a great kickoff. AFT Michigan leaders, members, staff, school board candidates, and supporters came together to speak directly with voters about our endorsed allies.
This is just the beginning, and we need your help for the work ahead. If you are interested in joining an upcoming canvass, please reach out to tsparks@aftmichigan.org or jware@aftmichigan.org to get involved.
Sign up for Red for Ed Walks
Members Show Up for Dearborn School Board Forum
Recently, Dearborn Public Schools and Henry Ford College hosted a school board candidate forum, and our members and community turned out in a big way.
Union and community members quickly filled the room to hear directly from school board candidates as they responded to key questions on issues impacting our members, students, and schools.
Forums like this are vital to ensuring educators, school staff, and community members have a voice in the future of public education. By showing up, asking questions, and engaging directly with candidates, our members ensured that critical school issues remain at the forefront of the conversation.
AFT Michigan Fall Leadership Summit – September 26
Join us for our Fall Leadership Summit on Saturday, September 26 at UM Dearborn, Fairlane South! We’re looking forward to a day filled with constituency committees, union-building planning, and our plan to win in 2026!
We encourage locals to bring leadership teams that can split off to participate in our afternoon sessions designed to support union building plans in core areas including organizing, political action, finance and data, and contract enforcement. Learn more about this year’s Leadership Summit and register here.
Union Building Institute for Worksite Leaders- October 5-6, 5:30-6:30 PM
Are you a workplace leader looking to develop your union leadership skills? Wondering where to start when it comes to being a building representative, steward, or engaged union member? Workplace leaders and members are invited to sign up for various virtual sessions designed to support members develop skills and build on existing knowledge and skills around core union capacities throughout the week of October 5th. Sessions are focused on core areas of AFT Michigan’s Power Wheel and include skills you can take back to your workplace the next day around organizing, communicating, and representing your colleagues!
All UBI sessions are over Zoom starting at 5:30 PM. Learn more about them and register at aftmichigan.org/events.
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!
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
