GLEP asks Whitmer to Stand Up for Kids in Detroit, Publicly Reject Illegal Local Union-Authorized Strike
Detroit Parents, Kids Deserve Governor’s Support, after Local Union Officials Voted to Authorize Breaking the Law
LANSING – Great Lakes Education Project Executive Director Beth DeShone today asked Governor Gretchen Whitmer to stand up for Detroit students and parents, and to speak out publicly against efforts by some union officials in the city of Detroit who voted to authorize an illegal strike, potentially locking local kids out of both in-person and virtual classrooms.
Union members in the Detroit Public Schools voted last Wednesday to authorize a strike. Recognizing the importance of public school teachers and classroom learning, Michigan state law prohibits strikes by educators.
“Governor Whitmer should do the right thing today, put Detroit students first, and declare – unequivocally—that union members in Detroit cannot expect to break the law to hurt local students and get away with it,” said DeShone. “Governor Whitmer is uniquely positioned to stand up for Detroiters, by publicly opposing the illegal strike authorized last week by the local teacher’s union. Students in Detroit deserve an education, not locked school doors and illegal work stoppages from the adults parents count on to deliver.”
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