For Hamtramck teachers, a new contract is about seeking respect

Hamtramck Public School District teachers held a rally Monday to kickoff the beginning of contract talks with the HPS administration. Teachers are seeking a pay raise as well as a say in management.

 

By Charles Sercombe
“Dignity” was the word of the day for Hamtramck Public School District teachers on Monday afternoon.
About 40 teachers held a short rally outside the district’s administration building to kick off new contract negotiations that took place after the rally.
While no one said that this year’s negotiations are going to be hostile, there were plenty of complaints heard about the administration over the past two years.
Although no names were mentioned, teachers have been complaining about the management style of Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed and Michelle Imbrunone, the district’s head of Human Resources.
Teachers and administrators complained about position reassignments that made no sense, or seemed punitive against those who spoke up.
Both took a medical leave last October, and Ahmed is still on leave. It’s not known what the status is of Imbrunone, and school officials won’t say.
On hand was David Hecker, the Michigan President of the American Federation of Teachers, who said Hamtramck teachers have suffered through the “last few ridiculous years.”
Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi is now leading the district. Teachers have praised Nagi for improving their work environment, and opening up lines of communication.
Nagi told The Review that he looks forward to working with the teachers, and settling on a contract that is fair.
“We will be working with our partners to find common ground that gets all stakeholders to a better place,” Nagi said. “Our table is not going to leave anyone behind. We have amazing partners, and look forward to cooperation, collaboration, and commitment throughout our conversations.”
The president of the Hamtramck teachers’ union, Toni Coral, said that, so far, going into negations “feels really good. I’m excited. … The last few years have been tough. We can’t go on like this.”
Over 20 teachers and staff members voted with their feet over the past year, and left for other jobs.
That mass exodus, coupled with teacher shortages nationwide, caused a sudden teacher shortage here.
One teacher at Hamtramck High School said that conditions at that school are strained, and that “the bleeding (of employees) is beginning.”
It was also said that a recent poll of HPS teachers revealed that 50 percent of them are considering to leave the district for other jobs.
Coral echoed that when she read what her opening statement will be for the first negotiation session. She said that the district is “on the verge of collapse.”
So what are teachers looking for in their new contract?
The simple answer: More money.
“That’s the kind of respect you deserve,” Hecker said.
But it is more than just a financial issue. Coral said teachers want, among several other things, more say in professional development, as well as in the hiring process of administrators.
Coral predicted that the teachers will have a new contract by spring break.
Posted Feb. 4, 2022

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