Michigan—The Detroit Federation of Teachers struck on Aug. 28 and beat back efforts to cut salaries 15 percent over three years. The union, which represents about 9,500 teachers and social workers, voted on Sept. 13 to return to schools pending a ratification vote on a three-year tentative agreement that restores proposed wage cuts and offers salary increases in the second and third years. Results were expected by early October.

The return-to-work vote capped a 13-day work action that showcased the resolve and determination of DFT members, who defied a court’s return-to-work order and showed unparalleled solidarity in the fight.

It was the determination of members that helped turn back management’s demands for devastating salary cuts, DFT president and AFT vice president Janna Garrison said at the membership’s Sept. 13 vote. Garrison stood with members of the union’s executive committee and the bargaining team to give a round of applause to the DFT rank and file.

Under the tentative agreement, educators will receive base salary increases of 1 percent effective July 2007 and 2.5 percent effective July 2008. The salary for 2006-07 will be the salary in effect for the prior school year with increment steps restored and a stepped up repayment plan for five days that went uncompensated under the prior contract. DFT negotiators were not able to block a new 10 percent health insurance premium copay under the new agreement; the union was, however, able to win new on-the-job legal protections for teachers.

“This contract is not everything we want, but it is enough to go back and work and to continue to fight for equity,” Garrison told members. A key step will be November political mobilization—the tentative pact also includes an agreement to meet and confer on additional compensation should Michigan voters approve a K-16 school-funding ballot initiative.

Garrison made it clear that the union couldn’t have stood against cuts sought by the district without a determined rank and file that rose to the challenge. “We were strong [and] that solidarity, in conjunction with community support, is why we are able to come before you today,” she told members at the return-to-work vote.

Of nearly 10,000 members represented by the union, fewer than 100 crossed the picket lines, union officials report. The community stood behind its teachers, with students and civic leaders joining the pickets.

Indiana—Striking AFT members in Gary, Ind., held the line—and won. On Sept. 1, members of the AFT affiliate approved a three-year contract and returned to schools the same day, ending a nine-day strike that showed district bullying could not undermine the resolve of more than 1,400 teachers and paraprofessionals represented by the Gary Teachers Union. Ratification by the school board was pending as AFT On Campus went to press.

“The district threatened termination and warned that it would cut off health and life insurance” for strikers, says Sandra Irons, president of the local and an AFT vice president. “But the unity was there. Our people just dug in.”

Members of the Gary local went on strike Aug. 21 over three key issues: the school system’s discipline policy; efforts to cut students’ and teachers’ lunch periods from one hour to 30 minutes; and the district’s efforts to increase the amount teachers must pay toward healthcare coverage.

Along with 2 percent annual salary increases, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2005, the new deal improves healthcare coverage for paraprofessionals.

Illinois—Following a strike that lasted six days, members of the Wolf Branch (Ill.) Teachers Association ratified their contract on Aug. 30. This was the first strike for the unit, which has only been part of the Illinois Federation of Teachers for seven years.

Teachers in Wolf Branch District 113 in Swansea, Ill., voted to strike after the union and district failed to reach an agreement over salaries. The Wolf Branch local represents 53 teachers in the K-8 district.

“We learned a lot,” says the local’s interim president Jeff Birk. “We didn’t just sit back and take what they tried to force on us. Our members stood strong and really became active. We had good parent support, and I think many parents will pay closer attention to what’s going on in our district. There’s a lot we can build on from here.”

Teacher salaries are average for the area, and the union emphasizes that it is only seeking increases to keep those salaries competitive.

Among the activities planned for the campaign are town hall meetings connected nationally by satellite, an essay contest for schoolchildren about the importance of health coverage, the release of a series of policy reports, grass-roots events in communities across the country, a Washington lobby day, and an online petition urging expanded health coverage for all children. The petition will be delivered to the president and Congress next spring at a time when Congress considers the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

“Evidence and common sense tell us that healthy children are better learners,” says AFT executive vice president Antonia Cortese. “It is a moral imperative to ensure that all children have adequate healthcare coverage.”