DFT CAUCUS  HISTORY

(DEJA VUE… ALL OVER AGAIN)

In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the “Riordan Team” led the Detroit Federation of Teachers. It was an internal political caucus that supported and followed the long termed President (Mary Ellen Riordan) who brought and solidified recognition and meaningful collective bargaining for the Education Professionals of Detroit. A number of caucuses sprung up from time to time, to protest some of the “Team’s” stances at the bargaining table, its perceived lack of representation, and its perceived lack of enforcement of the contract in the trenches—our classrooms and work sites.  Most of these caucuses were seen as radical. The DFT Rank-and-file membership’s growing concern, about their union’s leadership, and how their union’s business was being administrated, brought about a consensus amongst the membership, that their union leaders had grown out of touch with them and was aloof to new ideas. This brought a split in the mid 1970’s. 
 

The United for Teachers Rights Caucus (UTR) was formed by an almost even split of the Riordan Executive Board.  Vice-Presidents and Executive Board members pulled out and joined hundreds of teachers to form the new caucus (Doesn’t this sound familiar?). They asked Executive Vice-President John Elliott to head the slate (Doesn’t this sound familiar too?) which lost its initial bid for office. Two years later, the UTR ran James Bannon, the former Treasurer candidate for the highest office. On the third try, again nominating John Elliott, the UTR finally won the presidency of the union and obtained a split on the Executive Board. For the following ten terms of office the UTR swept all elections.

Our current (UTR) DFT President rarely participated in any of the early struggles. Nor was she involved in caucus politics, until her anointing as Executive Vice-President (by the former (UTR) DFT President John Elliott). She was placed in a no-lose situation. She became President of the DFT upon the retirement of John Elliot. Unfortunately, it has taken our current President only 6 years to grow out of touch with her membership, become aloof, and refuse to accept the ideas of the DFT Rank-and-file. The Executive Board has once again split for the good of the union, and its DFT Rank-and-file membership (Sounds familiar?). Many Executive Board members, Trustees, Building Representatives and Education Professional activists have said, “Let’s stop this before it get worse.” This time the “Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change” has said, “Enough is enough!”

Executive Vice-President Virginia Cantrell is a proven fighter for Education Professionals, a trusted activist, and a Detroiter. Vice President Cantrell fought hard on our side at the bargaining table. She fought hard to maintain and improve what we had already gained though years of hard work, struggle, and sacrifice.  All of her passion and enthusiasm was for naught, because the chief negotiator—our current president, overruled her time and time again. When asked about how our current president frustrated her efforts at the bargaining table, Virginia stated, “I couldn’t believe how easily she gave away some of those items. Now that we are stuck with this contract, we have to make the most of it. We’ll use it to rebuild, because now we must work to re-earn the respect of our membership, the administration, and the public.”

“Only in the chaos of destruction can strong foundations be established.” Virginia Cantrell, and the Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change, will provide that strong foundation! Now is the perfect time for change. We have heard it murmured amongst the DFT Rank-and-file, “How long; how long?” Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change’s reply is, “Not long, not long.” Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change will be the agents to effect that change. After assuming office, Virginia and the Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change will grow in strength and size. We will develop new strategies and new plans, for a better and improved contract. Not just something we can live with, but a contract all DFT members can be proud of!

We believe in, and are ready for some real action, not just idle slogans.  To bring about this change, all DFT members must vote the entire Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change slate. 

http://educatorsforchange.com

Send checks and Money orders payable to:
Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change
3464 S. Bassett
   Detroit, Michigan 48217

Send all other correspondence to:
Caucus for Cantrell: Educators for Change
P.O. Box 38238, Detroit, MI 48238
Phone: 313-727-5297