Detroit teachers union accuses district of threatening and intimidating outspoken teachers
DETROIT — The Detroit Federation of Teachers is accusing Detroit Public Schools officials of intimidating teachers who spoke out about conditions at their schools and declining to hear union complaints.
A Michigan Administrative Hearing System hearing is set to continue Thursday after taking place throughout the day Wednesday on one of the three charges made by DFT President Steve Conn on behalf of his members against DPS.
Conn, who did not return a call seeking further comment Wednesday, said in a statement that the teachers know they have the respect of their communities but don't feel that respect from the district.
"We must stop our finest teachers from being driven out of the school district," Conn said. "The union knows it has the complete the support of DPS students and parents in demanding that the school district respect the official grievance procedure and meet with the union over such matters."
Two of the three charges deal with individual teachers' relationships with principals, while the third is against the Detroit Public Schools in general.
According to the Detroit News, the complaint heard by a judge Wednesday that will continue Thursday involves a dispute at East English Village Preparatory Academy High School.
The union alleges Carmen Murray, principal at East English Village Preparatory Academy High School, confronted Nicole Conway regarding comments Conway made in The Detroit Teacher, the DFT's newspaper. Conway made comments in the newspaper about not having enough books for her students.
According to the complaint filed with the state, Murray said, "If you are going to say things that put the school in a bad light, you should talk to me first." Conway and the DFT allege this is Murray's way of interfering with, and attempting to restrain, Conway exercising her rights, an unfair labor practice.
Another charge filed with the state contends Sharon Jamison, teacher and union steward at Mann Elementary School, was threatened with an insubordination charge while at a conference where Conn filed grievances with the Mann principal.
"Shortly there after, in fact, the steward received the written warning of insubordination from the principal," the complaint states.
The hearing on that case will take place at a later date, according to the News report.
The final charge is that Detroit Public Schools officials informed DFT that the district Detroit teachers union accuses district of threatening and intimidating outspoken teachers | MLive.com:
