Adjunct Faculty Organization Bargains for Better Wages and More
The Adjunct Faculty Organization, AFT Local 337, ratified a two year contract with Henry Ford College last week. The bargaining team goals were to build on the gains the union has made over the years to help adjuncts at Henry Ford College. Edgar Johns led the union’s bargaining team this year and secured a two year agreement with 3% raises each year, maintained professional development and gained some shared decision making regarding class assignments in some departments. “Our bargaining team really worked hard to bring the best contract to our members, we are happy to have this one ratified on the eve of Labor Day,” says AFO President Lynn Boza.
The Fight for Fair Maps
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is currently working to draw maps that will be put forth for public hearing. We are asking our members to attend these hearings and weigh in on behalf of fair and non-partisan maps to ensure we have fair and competitive elections for the next decade. We also encourage members to get involved by submitting your own maps. The Michigan AFL-CIO Fair Maps project has provided the example maps for : Wayne County: https://districtr.org/COI/41456, https://districtr.org/COI/41458, https://districtr.org/COI/41460, https://districtr.org/COI/4129, https://districtr.org/COI/41446 and Macomb County: https://districtr.org/COI/41460, https://districtr.org/COI/41461.
The process to submit an example map and a personal story connecting you with the map can be found here. The hearing dates are:
o Flint- Monday, 10/11/21 Dort Center
o Gaylord- Tuesday, 10/12/21, Treetops Resort
o Marquette- Thursday, 10/14/21, Northern Michigan University
o Grand Rapids- Monday, 10/18/21, Amway Hotel
o Kalamazoo- Tuesday, 10/19/21, Radisson Hotel
o Lansing- Thursday, 10/21/21, Lansing Center
o Warren- Monday, 10/25/21, Macomb Community College
o Livonia- Tuesday, 10/26/21, Schoolcraft College
o Detroit- Thursday, 10/28/21, TCF Center
Fecteau Receives National Service Award
Michelle Fecteau, Executive Director of AAUP-AFT Local 6075 at Wayne State, has received the National Public Service Award by the National Association of State Boards of Education. Michelle served eight years on the Michigan State Board of Education and just completed her elected term in January 2021. As secretary of the state board, Fecteau was instrumental in numerous education initiatives, especially those focused on serving children with special needs and those living in areas of concentrated poverty. A key member of Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley’s Special Education Reform Task Force in 2015-16, Fecteau helped lead a statewide bi-partisan listening tour to ensure public input guided reforms for Michigan’s special education system. Casandra Ulbrich, president of the Michigan state board, noted Fecteau’s unwavering commitment to public service. “Michelle’s a champion for the rights of all people. She’s a passionate, dedicated leader and fierce defender of public schools, teachers, families, and especially our state’s most vulnerable students. Her work on Michigan’s state board was invaluable.” Congratulations Michelle. Well deserved
Teaching the Truth and Advocating for Educator Voice
Given the movement to prevent educators from teaching about historic and systemic racism, my column in last week’s Michigan Advance addresses the issue of protecting our right and responsibility to teach the truth.
My Labor Day column advocated for educator voice and restoring collective bargaining rights.
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 $52 a year to elect more candidates who share our values? Please visit https://aftmichigan.org/pac/ and set up a recurring gift. For as little as $1 a week, YOU can make a big difference in protecting public education and building a better Michigan future!
Upcoming Union-Building Workshops
| Workshop | Date | Start | End |
| Communication Tools for Local Leaders | Wednesday, September 8, 2021 | 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
| Accessing Michigan’s Unemployment System | Friday, September 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
| Treasurer Tuesday: State & National Per Caps | Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM |
| Planning and Running Effective Meetings | Thursday, September 16, 2021 | 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
| Treasurer Overview: Introduction to Local Financial Mgmt | Saturday, September 18, 2021 | 9:00 AM | 12:30 PM |
Upcoming Professional Development
AFT Michigan Virtual Workshop
Promoting Race and Culture and Classroom Management
September 18, 2021
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This workshop will provide attendees an opportunity to explore research on culture and teaching. It will answer the question “why educators need to move beyond the superficial notions of student’s race and group culture but consider student’s individuality or group variability?” This new research will support educators developing strategies to enhance student achievement and promote effective classroom management.
Click here for more information and to register.
In solidarity,
David Hecker, President
