Finding The 'Up' Side and Humor to Stay at Home Orders
Stay safe and relatively sane. This too shall pass.
USPS Needs Help
IF you value the work your friends, neighbors and public servants do in delivering crucial correspondence, life saving medicine, Vote By Mail Ballots to every address in America and believe that the work of this historic agency must be protected and preserved, call your lawmakers today. Demand they include the USPS in the next stimulus.
AFT Michigan & DFT: ‘Right to Literacy’ Settlement a Landmark Victory for All Students
Educators union applauded the plaintiffs and Gov. Whitmer for settlement
After years of litigation, the constitutional right to literacy and a quality public education was won thanks to the brave efforts of Detroit students who secured a significant legal victory for the rights of their peers in Detroit, throughout Michigan and across the country. The case, which began in 2016, was originally filed against Gov. Rick Snyder and was settled by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The announcement of the settlement, which has been referred to as a fight for “Right to Literacy” since its filing, came in the early morning hours on Thursday. AFT Michigan and the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) lauded the efforts of the Detroit students who fought for their education and Gov. Whitmer for agreeing to the settlement.
“This case is a landmark victory for students and families in Detroit, across Michigan and throughout the country by setting an important precedent that the right to education and literacy is fundamental,” said David Hecker, president of AFT Michigan. “We applaud both the brave students who came forward in 2016 to fight for their rights and Gov. Whitmer for working to settle this case. This decision will benefit students in Detroit, throughout Michigan and across the country. Every child has a right to receive a quality public education and every child deserves the opportunity to set themselves up for a bright future.”
“Every student wants and deserves a quality public education and students in Detroit were willing to fight for that right. We couldn’t be prouder of those students who stepped up and did the right thing despite years of contentious legal battles,” said Terrence Martin, president of DFT Michigan. “Educators are used to having to fight for their students, but having students step up and be their own advocates is inspiring and a testament to the power of the public school community in this state. Gov. Whitmer did the right thing settling this case and we thank her for coming to the table and helping make this settlement possible.”
The case began in 2016, when Detroit Public School students who had been in state-managed public schools felt they were not getting the education they deserved under Gov. Rick Snyder’s emergency manager policies. In April, a federal appeals court sided with students, giving more fuel to the years-long legal battle for a quality public education. The case moved to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, where a settlement was announced by the Governor’s office.
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
Social Security: In The Crosshairs Again
All Americans should be wary of any proposal to alter the fundamental nature of Social Security and supportive of those lawmakers who want to protect, preserve and expand it like the SS 2100 Act which would 'scrap the cap' and increase benefits responsibly.
Thank You to Our Members
Thank you to all of the teachers and support staff for everything you have done to make what could be a difficult transition during the most difficult of times enjoyable and feasible. You have trained yourself, your students, parents and each other on distance learning and technology! You are worthy of recognition!
Thank You to Our Members
Thank you to all of the teachers and support staff for everything you have done to make what could be a difficult transition during the most difficult of times enjoyable and feasible. You have trained yourself, your students, parents and each other on distance learning and technology! You are worthy of recognition!
We salute our mighty DFT Members for all that you do! Thank you for servicing our children when we need it the most. We appreciate you.
Terrence Martin, President
Lakia Wilson, Executive Vice President
P.S. please continue to take pictures for the remainder of the school year and send them to detfed231@gmail.com
2020 Legislative Report
Legislative issues at both the State of Florida & Federal levels to be aware of & TAKE ACTION on when needed.
A PLAN TO SAFELY REOPEN AMERICA’S SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
Georgia Federation of Teachers seeks answers regarding the superintendent search and selection process from the DeKalb County Board of Education
Contact:
Media Advisory for: Ron Fowler
Tuesday, May 12, 2020 404-315-0222 o.
404-731-5205 c.
georgia@aftgeorgia.org
http://ga.aft.org
Meeting with the Governor
Quick update on the meeting with the Governor's staff. It was as expected; the meeting was related to a request for contract adjustments to our July GWI. The request however, went well beyond just a brief delay in the GWI...so it was a dud. No further meetings scheduled, no counter-offer was made. We will see if there is more, but right now, after 1 wage increase over 4 years in exchange for a $24billion savings deal for the State, this offer wasn't anything A&R was willing to entertain.
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