Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions Rally

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Fighting for what is good for students and fair to teachers and staff, the Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions rallied on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, in front of the Fisher Building in mid-town Detroit. The Fisher Building is the headquarters of the DPS Administration, including Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb.

Hundreds of members of the Coalition Unions - including the Detroit Federation of Teachers, the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees, and the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals marched and rallied in support of a contract this is good for students and fair for teachers and staff. They were joined by members of AFSCME, UFCW, UAW, Operating Engineers, the Michigan AFL-CIO and Metro Detroit AFL-CIO in a broad based show of support.

Bargaining during the summer has been infrequent for the Detroit Federation of Teachers, AFT 231, as sessions were continually cancelled by administration. No bargaining took place with support staff unions as scheduled sessions were also cancelled. It was not until August 18 that Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb presented the unions with the District's proposals. The proposals include massive concessions and changes that negatively impact education and, therefore, the students.

Ruby Newbold, Chair of the Coalition and President of the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees, AFT 4168, stated, "The bottom line is our students, the children. What the unions want is what is good for students, and fair to teachers and staff."

"On May 26 we came together with the District in a full day professional development program about working together on significant education reforms," stated Keith Johnson, President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, AFT 231. "Three months later the working together has been minimal at best. The DFT supports meaningful reforms that have been proven to enhance the education of our students. We need to work together to make that happen. Hopefully, bargaining this week will get us there."

"Our students return on September 8," remarked Newbold. "Coalition members are committed to making this a great year at DPS."

The day after the rally, the DFT and DPS reached an agreement to continue the current contract for another 30 days and to continue bargaining.