Detroit teachers threaten to sue union re. ballot...

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Detroit teachers threaten to sue union over contract ballot language

http://www.freep.com/article/2009121...allot-language

Posted: 8:37 p.m. Dec. 17, 2009

By LORI HIGGINS and CHASTITY PRATT DAWSEY
FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITERS

Some members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers are threatening to file a court injunction if the union doesn’t halt voting on a proposed Detroit Public Schools contract, a threat that came a day before the ballots are to be counted.

“This is not a fair vote,” said George Washington, a Detroit attorney who said he represents several members of the union’s election committee and some other union members.

Among the concerns spelled out in a letter Washington sent to Keith Johnson, the union president: Washington cited a failure by Johnson to consult anyone before writing the ballot and called it biased because it spells out what will happen if members vote no. The letter also raises questions about the accuracy of the vote, because of problems with voting lists.

Johnson said their arguments were not grounds for suspending the ratification process. He denied the request, though he admitted there have been a few problems during the voting. Two schools didn’t get ballots, but they eventually were delivered.

“Most of the teachers have already voted. Whatever happens tomorrow happens,” he said tonight, referring to the counting of the ballots Friday.
Johnson said putting that language on the ballot was not illegal.

“I put that on there because there is so much information, in fact downright lies, out there,” he explained. “I wanted people to have a clear understanding.”
Mark O’Keefe, executive vice president of the DFT, said past ballot language has always spelled out that a “no” vote on a contract would mean members would withhold their services. The only difference this time is what the no vote will mean.

“It’s informative language, not coercive,” O’Keefe said. “It’s the least coercive language we’ve ever had.”

But Washington said telling voters that voting no means they will stop working is different than telling them all the ramifications of voting no that the current ballot spells out.

“It lets one side use the ballot for a propaganda tool and that’s never been done before,” Washington said.

Meanwhile, union members are circulating petitions to recall Johnson, citing dissastification with the tentative agreement he negotiated.

Contact LORI HIGGINS : 313-222-6651 or lhiggins@freepress.com