DFT Members:

On May 15, our Executive Board rejected a tentative contract agreement with DPSCD. I wanted to share my statement with you:

"We've continually stated what's best for educators is best for students. The executive board felt that the tentative agreement doesn't move DPSCD forward and place our students first. We want to continue negotiations."

--Ivy 

Republicans in Lansing are getting ready to launch a new round of attacks on working families next week, and we need to start fighting back right now.

These new bills are being pushed by the billionaire DeVos family to destroy pensions for newly-hired teachers, librarians, and bus drivers.

Call your legislator right now at 866-834-6910.

READ MORE: http://miaflcio.org/2017/05/call-legislation-tell-protect-teacher-pensions/

By Ruby Newbold, Ivy Bailey and Donna Jackson: Special to the Michigan Chronicle 

All children deserve a great education.

READ MORE: https://michronicleonline.com/2017/05/10/whats-best-for-educators-and-support-staff-is-best-for-students/

Bargaining Rally Mon., 5/15! Meet at the Cesar Chavez Fountain outside of Welch Hall at 4:00 PM.  Join the event on Facebook!

Our next bargaining session is scheduled from 4:00-9:00PM on Tuesday May, 16th in McKenny Hall. We plan to pass many of our articles, including our response to appointments and compensation articles and we encourage you to come observe!

Bargaining Update: Admin proposal still offers 25% Pay Cut

The administration passed another compensation article that still contains the same 25% pay cut for new lecturers, and offers no job security for any PTLs. This would incentivize Department Heads to hire new lecturers over our current PTLs. Specific details about this offer can be found at the end of this email.

Details of the administrations compensation proposal:

• 25% pay cut for new lecturers
• Reduces the percentage of pay for lab/studio teaching to 1/3 of a credit hour
• Removes Lecturer B
• NO job security for anyone
• Compares EMU PTL pay to two community colleges
• Denies that we have members who also work at the University of Michigan, and is therefore a comparable institution
• Requires pay to be direct deposit or on a debit card (which would likely have fees)
• Does nothing to guarantee pay on September 15th and January 15th.

EMUFT would like to send overdue CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of this year’s Part-Time Lecturer Distinguished Teaching Awards:    

CAS: Roberta Justice & Malgorzata Mroz

COB: Jane Stephenson

CHHS: Joy Versluis

COE: Susan Santone

COT: Russell Rhoton

And congratulations also to all nominees for recognition of your hard work as teachers at EMU!

Newark teachers, clerks and aides today voted by an overwhelming majority to ratify a new four-year contract going back to July 1, 2015 and forward through June 30, 2019. “We are proud to see our members’ hard work and commitment to Newark’s students recognized with pay raises to help them catch up after years of state-imposed austerity and increased health insurance costs,” said Newark Teachers Union President John M. Abeigon.

At its May 4 meeting, the BCFPE Board approved the following appointments to the Elections Committee:

• Graceann Rehbein, Health Department
• Jerlena Rhodes, Corrections
• Samantha English, 911 Center
• Tishawn Usiade, Health Department, Alternate

The Committee will meet throughout the summer to oversee the election of officers this fall.

The Board also approved the following to attend Union Steward Training on May 23:

Our President Ruby Newbold, AFT Vice President and PSRP PPC Chair, helped to lead the three-day conference held at the Detroit Marriott. Here are some of the photos from the weekend that featured AFT President Randi Weingarten; Lorretta Johnson, AFT Secretary-Treasurer; David Hecker, AFT Michigan President; and Alycia Meriweather, Interim Superintendent for Detroit Public Schools Community District.

See more photos in the News section under Photos. 

LONG ISLAND CHAPTER OF NYSARA MEETING AT NYSUT