Expand / Collapse search
☰

Detroit teachers protest following vote to authorize strike

Published  August 20, 2020 9:29am EDT
Detroit Public Schools
FOX 2 Detroit

DETROIT - Teachers with Detroit Schools are protested Thursday, a day after the union voted to authorize a strike against the district if an agreement can't be met ahead of the 2020 start of classes.

Coming off an overwhelming show of unity where 91% of the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) agreed to not return to class if in-person class resumes, a teacher with the district told FOX 2 they planned on demonstrating at the Fisher Building in the city at 11 a.m.

Detroit teachers vote overwhelmingly in favor of strike if talks break down

By a 91% margin, union members voted to approve a strike if discussions between the Detroit teachers and the school district break down before the start of class.

While many health experts believe returning to class too soon could preempt an outbreak of COVID-19, some districts have opted to start class in-person. Several other schools around the state will begin the year remotely. 

Among requests from the district's teachers besides a remote start include proper ventilation and cleaning protocols in school buildings, having personal protective equipment available, and an agreement for regular testing of staff, students, and anyone that would go into one of the buildings.

"Our fear is that there will be members that are forced to teach face-to-face, even if there are members who are uneasy and uncomfortable with doing that," said DFT President Terrence Martin said. "Particularly our members who have pre-existing conditions in which Covid can certainly exacerbate those preexisting conditions."

A statement from District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti was released shortly after the teacher vote: 

"While we acknowledge the action taken today by DFT, we are also confident the school board and the district, in discussion with DFT, will result in a safe reopening of schools." 

The disagreement between teachers and district administrators is a microcosm of the kinds of conversations that many other school districts have been having as summer break comes to a close.