Bargaining

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor A deep dive into the state budget passed by Michigan House Republicans shows their aim is to cut $1.4 billion from schools and $1.6 billion from other state programs to boost spending on roads by $3 billion next year — as educators' contract talks spill into the school year in many places. The new…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Despite uncertainty from lack of a state budget, educators in a number of Michigan school districts spent their spring and summer securing solid wins in contracts that underscore the importance of union expertise, cohesion and leadership. Latest from Lansing The state House and Senate still have failed to agree on a spending plan for…

Brenda Massie A 40-year educator, Brenda Massie has worked for 20 years in Ludington schools where she teaches fifth and sixth grade, supervises the Safety Patrol program, and leads after-school math programs — all in addition to serving as the local union’s chief negotiator and grievance chair since 2010. “My first job is to teach and develop the students sitting…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor If you follow the news, you might recall a huge budget crisis that burst on the scene in the Wayne-Westland School District as winter holidays approached 18 months ago, suddenly prompting threats to privatize busing and lay off dozens of employees. You may remember the local union mobilizing resistance to shut down both the…

After many years under a punitive teacher evaluation system, Michigan educators got back the right to bargain the subject in 2024. MEA staff and union bargaining teams have worked tirelessly to negotiate local improvements and ensure districts are following the new law. Read your collective bargaining agreement for specifics of your district’s evaluation system, but here are general aspects of…

Flint Education Association members galvanized community support for the school district’s educators and their successful fight for a fair contract. Through the power of collective bargaining and action, MEA members across Michigan have made record strides in 2024 by securing significant pay raises, improved working conditions and a stronger voice in the workplace. In the face of an educator shortage,…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor United Teachers of Flint VP Trishanda Williams In January when seven school board members of Flint Community Schools voted down a settlement agreement between the district and its teachers, their move sparked a crisis which spun into a dramatic three-month showdown culminating in a huge win for United Teachers of Flint. But the historic…

After months of uncertainty, Flint educators and Flint Community Schools approved a settlement agreement this week that respects the professionalism of Flint teachers and will help attract and retain the quality educators that Flint students need to succeed. “This landmark agreement, reached after nearly 15 hours of collaborative, honest and constructive dialogue, reflects our shared dedication to fostering an environment…

Students deserve a stable environment where they can count on having a fully qualified teacher in their class from the start of the year to the last day. EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi released the following statement Wednesday in response to the Flint Board of Education’s monthslong refusal to ratify a settlement agreement reached between Flint…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In her nearly 14 years as president of the Clawson Education Association, Kelly Pearson has not bargained a better contract than the one she recently signed. Overwhelmingly approved by membership, the deal struck different responses between early-career and longer-term educators. “Overall, people were happy,” Pearson said of reactions during a meeting to review the…