Fall 2024 Leadership Summit
We had a great Leadership Summit Saturday with more than a hundred AFT Michigan leaders from 37 locals gathering at UM-Dearborn for a day of discussion, learning, and strategizing. Presidents, Treasurers, Data Coordinators, Contract Enforcement Coordinators, and Political Coordinators all met together in cohorts; new locals planned their first contract campaigns in the LEAD Program; and discussed issues in our Healthcare, Higher Ed, and PreK-12 Constituency Committees. And as we discussed the upcoming election, we welcomed Janise O’Neil Robinson, a 30-year special education teacher in Taylor and proud TFT 1085 member who is running for the state house.
Van Dyke Professionals Fighting for Fair Contract
As they continue their efforts to negotiate an agreement that’s good for students and fair for teachers, members of the Professional Personnel of Van Dyke 6199 held an informational picket outside their School Board meeting to raise awareness among the community and with board members.
Dearborn Fed of Teachers Book Giveaway with First Book Reading Opens the World
Dearborn Federation of Teachers 681 teamed up with Zaman International at their 15th Annual walk/run picnic. Zaman is an organization that helps families in need. The DFT passed out books purchased through First Book’s Reading Opens the World grant. The kids and families were ecstatic to take free books home.
Eligible AFT members can sign up to become a First Book member and get $25 off their first First Book Marketplace order by registering here and using promo code AFTCON24, while funding lasts. Don’t worry if you miss the chance to use the promo code; there are other funding opportunities for new First Book members you will be notified of once you join.
Scandal Stars + Educators = Voter Engagement!
Members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers 231 participated in a door-knocking canvass this weekend organized by several dedicated community organizations: Mothering Justice, MEJC, Michigan United, and Detroit Action. Adding to the excitement, members of the cast of the TV show Scandal, including star Kerry Washington, attended and led the kick-off! We connected with community members to spread awareness and encourage participation in the upcoming November 5 election.
Justice for Fatima
Fatima Al Rimawi, a Palestinian union leader and educator, was arrested by the Israel Defense Forces in January 2024. Ms. Rimawi has been held without trial in Damon military prison, facing harsh conditions and denied access to medical care, family visits, or legal representation. Her imprisonment, based on allegations of aiding terrorism through social media posts, has deeply impacted her family, students, and community. Fatima’s case exemplifies the broader human rights violations faced by Palestinian detainees, particularly women, under Israel’s current hardline policies, but it also highlights the potential for justice through the resilience of the Israeli judicial system.
Please join the AFT campaign for justice for Fatima by going to www.freefatimaalrimawi.com and sending messages via the email/social media links there. Our union is part of a network of 20 international education unions taking action to press their governments and the Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for Fatima’s release.
Fall Union Building Institute (UBI)
September 30-October 3, all sessions are 5-6 PM over Zoom
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 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 September 30- October 3. 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!
Register today at aftmichigan.org/union-building-events.
Member Organizing Institute (MOI) Registration and Upcoming Orientation
For building representatives and department stewards looking for a community of workplace leaders to learn and grow alongside, AFT Michigan is offering a Member Organizing Institute (MOI) cohort that provides workplace leaders an opportunity to learn more and practice the skills of effective building reps and department stewards.
A member’s ability to draw from personal work and union experience to engage and activate potential members is invaluable. The program seeks to foster a culture of organizing and member engagement by supporting the work of union-building in workplaces throughout our locals. Orientation is on October 5, at the AFT Michigan, David Hecker Building (2661 E. Jefferson Detroit, MI 48207) and is required to participate in the program. Ongoing training and support is provided by AFT Michigan Thursdays over Zoom, 6 PM-7 PM from October 10- November 21. Workplace leaders who participate in MOI will receive a copy of AFT’s Organizing and Union-Building Model “Powering Up”.
Learn more here! Space is limited. Please reach out to Meenakshi Mukherjee (mmukherjee@aftmichigan.org) with any questions. Register at aftmichigan.org/union-building-events today!
The Workers’ Pride Conference on October 12, 2024 invites all union and non-union workers and activists from allied organizations to share ideas and grow skills for responding to the challenges facing working people. Instructors, facilitators, and coordinators are drawn from the LGBTQ community. Workshops include Contract Language & Policy for Greater LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Know Your Legal Rights on the Job, the Threats Against Them, & Initiatives to Expand Them, and Be a Part of the Change: What You Can Do to Create a Culture of Inclusion on the Job and in Your Union. We welcome participants from all genders and all cultural or ethnic backgrounds.
AFT Michigan offers a limited number of need-based scholarships – if you’re interested in attending the Latina/o Worker Leadership Institute or The Workers’ Pride Conference, please have your local president reach out to Meenakshi Mukherjee at mmukherjee@aftmichigan.org.
AFT Michigan Professional Development Workshop
Equity and Social-Emotional Engagement
Saturday, November 9, 2024
AFT Michigan – David Hecker Bldg.
2661 E. Jefferson – Detroit MI
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
This in-service will introduce attendees to the Building Equity Taxonomy (BET) and its relationship to Social-Emotional Engagement (SEE). It is essential for educators to develop programs that are sensitive to the students’ social and emotional needs.
Participants will receive 6 SCECHs after completion of this in-service.
Click here to register
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!
https://mpoweru.mosaic.buzz/uStore/29/Home
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
