Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders call imposed contract 'a farce,' hint at potential strike
Published: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 5:49 PM Updated: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 5:52 PM
Detroit teachers union leaders are dismissing their new imposed contract as “a farce,” saying there was no agreement or even bargaining before the contract was announced.
Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders also are hinting a potential strike should they remain unhappy with a situation they call “an act of tyranny.”
Emergency manager Roy Roberts announced he was imposing a contract to replace a deal that expired on June 30, using powers afforded his office through state law, Public Act 4.
In a Tuesday letter to members, DFT President Keith Johnson said he asked emergency manager Roy Roberts to engage in negotiations and to consider $200 million concessions members agreed to during the past three years. Both were rejected.
“The spokesman for DPS has stated through the media that he will give the DFT a chance to notify our members about the terms of the new ‘collective bargaining agreement.’ We decline to do so. We will let the authors of this farce announce their own actions against you,” Johnson said in a