community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2010 Page C-3
TELFORD’S TELESCOPE
DFT leader gets it, but some members don’t
By Dr. John Telford
got. Had DFT struck, it would This would have devastated everything that is wrong with can cost him his job. During the years I super-
have been fined $25,000 and DFT and set collective bargain- urban public schools. vised Keith at the wild Finney
DFT president Keith John-
its members fined $2,500 indi- ing back half a century. Bobb
Johnson passed this test
her than
High, I noted the calm compe-
son is being blasted by a con-
vidually. If Johnson had thus would have declared bank-
Keith Johnson was mas- with flying colors. Rat
assume a posture of bravado
tence and courageous caliber
tingent of his membership
forced the EFM to take the ruptcy under Chapter 9 — the
terful in protecting his union
and make demands he had ab-
of this man up close and per-
who are upset that as part of
union to court, its members most lenient form of bank-
from some of its own idealis-
solutely no leverage to make,
sonal. Rather than condemn-
their new contract they are
would have lost a day’s pay ruptcy that solely benefits the
tic but misguidedly self-de-
he was able to craft an agree-
ing him, DFT should be thank-
obliged to participate in what
for every day they were out, employer at the expense of the
structive membership. Had
ment that enables DFT to live
ing him for doing what was
is called the “Termination In-
plus an additional fine of $250 employees. While this would
those who now are screaming
to fight another day. While his
practical, not political.
centive Plan” — $250 to be
per day. As an EFM, Mr. Bobb have eliminated the district’s
for Johnson’s scalp been in
selfless courage in putting his Get Dr. Telford’s tell-all
deducted over their next forty
would then have had to revert debt, it would also have de-
charge of the DFT, there would
union’s welfare before his own memoir on Detroit and its
paychecks. This, according to
to regressive bargaining under stroyed the little that still re-
no longer be a DFT. The true
undoubtedly flabbergasted schools at www.alifeonthe-
Johnson, was to avoid a 10 pe-
Public Act 112, which allows a mains of the educational qual-
test of a great leader is to do
many folks, it didn’t surprise run.com or call Harmonie
recent pay reduction over the
superintendent to impose the ity in a city that has become
what is right even when the
me even slightly. Park Press, (586)979-2077.
next five years, plus the elimi-
proverbial last best offer. America’s poster child for
decisions that he must make
nation of a number of fringe
benefits and almost 2,000 jobs
in order to reduce DPS’ $400
million deficit.
John Telford


While no one likes to give
up anything, particularly in
these tough economic times,
there remained nothing else
for Johnson to do. DPS’
emergency financial manager
(EFM) held all the bargaining
chips. DPS is in debt, and
EFM Robert Bobb was brought
in for one purpose — to elimi-
nate the deficit by any means
necessary. The inept and
venal financial management
of the past decade which I’ve
been trying to expose since
2001 has finally caught up to
DPS big time, and now that
enormous debt must be paid.
What many DFT members
are missing (or ignoring) is
that the alternatives for them
would have been far more dev-
astating. Beyond the pay re-
ductions, loss of benefits, and
loss of jobs loomed the inevi-
tability of bankruptcy, which
would have wiped out the DFT
contract and erased all the
hard-won achievements of the
legendary Mary Ellen Riordan
and other old-time leaders.
As a former suburban su-
perintendent and deputy su-
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY
perintendent who also was
a DFT member in the 1960s
and again in this century, I
find the notion that Johnson
might have taken his union on
strike to be at once ridiculous
and chilling. To get what? WEEKEND
There was nothing left to be
Walmart
donates
CLEARANCE!
$600,000
for Haiti
In response to the tragic
earthquake in Haiti, Walmart
operations around the world
and the Walmart Founda-
tion recently announced a 6O
%
-85
%
off
orig.*
prices
$500,000 monetary donation
to Red Cross emergency relief
efforts in Haiti. The company on thousands of items when you take an
is also sending pre-packaged
food kits valued at $100,000
to Haiti at the request of the
Red Cross.
“At Walmart, helping com-
munities is what we do every
day around the world, espe-
extra 2O
%
off
cially in times of need,” said
Doug McMillon, president and
already reduced prices
CEO, Walmart International.
“Many of the markets where
we operate in the Americas’
region are launching support
campaigns, and we will contin-
ue to look for opportunities to selections for her: selections for him: selections for kids:
provide much needed relief.”
The Walmart Foundation
sportswear • suits • sleepwear sportswear • pants sweaters
has also launched a web page,
www.walmartstores.com/haiti,
through which customers and
shoes • fi ne & fashion jewelry dress shirts tops • sets
associates can make dona-
tions to nonprofits that are
handbags • more more more
also supporting relief efforts
in Haiti.
“Our thoughts are with ev-
eryone who has been impacted
by the devastation in Haiti, in-
cluding the hundreds of thou-
sands of Haitians who are our
customers and our associates
in the U.S. and abroad,” said
Margaret McKenna, president
of the Walmart Foundation.
“We will continue to moni-
tor the situation and look for
additional ways that we can
assist in the relief efforts.”
“The American Red Cross
is rushing supplies and disas-
ter management staff to Haiti
in the aftermath of this earth-
ORIG. PRICES ARE OFFERING PRICES, AND SAVINGS MAY NOT BE BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. SOME ORIG. PRICES NOT IN EFFECT DURING THE PAST 90 DAYS. *Intermediate price
quake, and we are grateful for
Open a Macy’s Account for
reductions may have been taken. Orig. items are available while supplies last. Advertised items may not be available at your local Macy’s, and selections may
the generous contributions of
vary. Prices & merchandise may differ on macys.com. Extra savings are in effect through 1/31/10. For store locations & hours, log on to macys.com. extra 15% savings
Walmart, its associates and its
the fi rst 2 days with more rewards to come.
customers,” said Gail McGov-
New cardholder savings are subject to credit approval; savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, certain lease
ern, president and CEO of the
departments and gift cards; on furniture, mattresses and rugs, the new account savings is limited to $100; application must qualify for immediate approval
Exclusions apply; see left.
American Red Cross.
to receive extra savings; employees not eligible.
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