Organizing
MEA’s power is in the collective strength of our 120,000 members. From local school boards to the State Capitol and beyond, our collective action can advocate for the change our students and our colleagues need.
Want to organize with MEA? – If you work in a school employee group not represented by MEA but are interested in organizing with us, please call us at 800-292-1934 and ask for Organizing Consultant Jacob Louks (jlouks@mea.org).
Organizing News

Whitmer, Pringle speak of hope and change at MEA Winter Conference
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer energized the MEA Winter Conference in Detroit on Friday with a heartening message to a capacity crowd that she described as “the fiercest warriors there are, the people that make a difference in so many lives every single day, who are too often under-thanked and under-appreciated: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer “Well, we…

Faculty at Monroe County Community College vote no-confidence, charge unfair labor practices
Faculty at Monroe County Community College have overwhelmingly approved a no-confidence vote in President Kojo Quartey and filed charges of Unfair Labor Practices against the college, which the faculty association addressed with a show of solidarity at the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday night. Faculty at Monroe County Community College, pictured here at a recent Board of Trustees meeting,…

Study finds school reform has left rural communities behind
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Education policies pursued for the past two decades in Michigan have ignored the needs of rural school districts, which has reduced opportunities for students and stymied community development in areas facing serious economic hardship, a new study has found. School reforms favored by policymakers over the past 20 years – test-based accountability and school…

Federal funding providing critical tutoring support for students
Providing additional academic support for students recovering from the pandemic has become a key use of federal school rescue funds in local districts across Michigan. Many school leaders are spending these resources on tutoring for students who struggled to adjust to learning from home and are now working to catch up. More than 200 school districts throughout the state signaled…

Parents and educators push back against unwarranted attacks
As a parent in Livingston County’s Hartland Consolidated Schools, Laura Moore publicly addressed the school board in February to say that a small group of vocal people who have been lobbing insults and criticism at every board meeting for months do not speak for everyone. “I addressed the board as a parent of three students and said that while I…

We Must Advocate and We are Not Alone
Amid critical educator shortages, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is focused on delivering support and resources in her proposed education budget for next fiscal year with plans to use ongoing state revenue increases to shore up public schools as they respond to ongoing effects of the pandemic. In contrast, Republican leaders in the House and Senate issued budget proposals focused on massive…
Forming a Higher Ed Union
Frequently Asked Questions What does it mean for us to form a union? Forming a union allows you and your colleagues to come together and advocate for yourselves. As union members, you’ll decide what priorities you share and how to address them. While you will elect your own officers and board, that’s just the beginning. The more participation there is…

MEA Members Share Reasons Behind Educator Shortages
Several MEA members, including Michigan Teacher of the Year Leah Porter, testified last week at a hearing on the varied causes behind growing educator shortages before the Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education. The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Brad Paquette (R-Niles), heard wide-ranging explanations for why educators are leaving the profession and not enough young people are…

Santa and Solidarity Appear in Breitung Township
Santa fought through near blizzard conditions to visit Breitung Township Education Association (BTEA) and Breitung Township Education Support Personnel Association (BTESPA) family members earlier this month. More than 40 children and adults were on hand to meet with Santa in the first of what the two local unions hope will become an annual event for members and their families. Under…

Decline to Sign Latest Voucher Scheme
On Monday, the State Board of Canvassers approved revised summary language for a new voucher scheme, including important details about the cost and discriminatory practices in the description voters will see on the petition. The decision moves the GOP-backed scheme forward to signature collection – and signals the beginning of Decline to Sign efforts by a ballot committee formed to…