The DREAM Caucus

We have repeatedly requested our updated Constitution and Bylaws since October 2025. As members, we have a legal right to access this information under Minnesota Statutes and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). The Duluth Federation of Teachers, Local #692, is legally obligated to provide these documents within a reasonable time frame of 7 to 14 days. There is no requirement for us to go through our steward for this request, yet the documents were not shared with them back in 2025.

Furthermore, since we are protected under 29 U.S. Code § 411, and some of our members have exercised their rights under Section 626A.02 of Minnesota Statutes, we reserve the right to use that data if the Duluth Federation of Teachers and Education Minnesota Field Staff (discipline action against a member expressing fear over ICE, pretty racist) continue to disseminate disinformation that undermines member rights and promotes anti-union sentiments. If necessary, we will make this information publicly available.

Here you all are! NEA Today AFT Minnesota AFL-CIO

🚨 FYI: We want members to be aware that a member of the Education Minnesota legal team also serves on the Minnesota Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).

⚖️ If you have filed, or plan to file, a matter with PERB involving Education Minnesota or one of its affiliated locals, you may wish to ask whether an alternative attorney or decision-maker is available to help avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

📚 I also want to address ongoing misinformation regarding the Duty of Fair Representation (DFR). DFR applies to all employees in the bargaining unit, regardless of whether they are union members.

🤝 In the fall of 2025, the Duluth Federation of Teachers, President refused to provide—or even explain—the Duty of Fair Representation to a BIPOC (Afro-Latino) Dean of Students who was mid-year terminated after using racial slurs as part of a restorative, educational discussion. Whether people agree or disagree with that situation, every employee deserves to understand their rights and the representation available to them.

📣 And because we expect President Fisher of DFT to respond as usual—LIE, DEFLECT, and COUNTERATTACK, just like Trump—we are first reaching out to the individual directly impacted by the Duluth Federation of Teachers’ actions before making any additional public disclosures.

📝 Transparency matters.
✊ Member rights matter.
🍎 Every educator deserves fair representation and accurate information.

PS- DFT, we hope you understand this data is public and that we don't need to redact any information or ask. But if we detect any disinformation, we’ll go beyond just sharing our conversation to clear up your falsehoods.

NEA Today AFT Minnesota AFL-CIO

It is not our responsibility to educate Education Minnesota (EdMN) Field Staff on the meaning of public data 📊, yet it is ironic, given that we have minutes that capture discussions on Duluth Public Schools resources. Additionally, we have warned them ⚠️, and they have witnessed the implications of anti-unionism related to the Duluth Federation of Teachers, Local #692. In the fall of 2025, EdMN's legal teams suggested we were using inflammatory language towards EdMN staff 📜, all while ignoring the harm to members of the Duluth Federation of Teachers and the broader community, including potential racial harm ✊🏽.

Furthermore, our executive board has informed our stewards that EdMN recommended disciplinary actions against us, including removal, due to fear of ICE 🚨. Therefore, we will assess rights and violations that have occurred.

We have also become aware that in 2022-2023, EdMN removed a field staff member for disclosing financial issues that should have been protected by EdMN's constitutions and bylaws 📋, as well as their whistleblower policy. We possess documents that might illustrate the targeting and the jeopardization of a fellow union brother or sister 🤝's career. We will be looking into the legal implications of this matter. NEA Today AFT

PS: We have made efforts to work with all of you, but what has emerged are lies and harm. EdMN Field Staff have witnessed this, and according to DFT leadership, they are now participating in actions against us. This creates a lack of faith that EdMN is acting in the best interest of all its members. We will be posting ample documentation in the future.

Duluth Federation of Teachers, Local #692, just found the audio of the DFT Treasurer and a member from November 2024. Natural consequences for disinformation, attacks on members, racism, and harm to unionism. Can you imagine how things would be different if DFT leadership acted as leaders and their associates acted like decent human beings? We'll keep you posted.

PS- Minnesota Statutes Section 626A.02, since 2023.

NEA Today Education Minnesota AFT

There is nothing greater than knowing you have access to a treasure trove of documents, emails, and AIFF files (protected under MN Statutes) that contradict the false claims spread by the Duluth Federation of Teachers, Local #692 (DFT), regarding specific rank-and-file members. These inaccuracies have been shared during union meetings, steward meetings, through Duluth Public Schools communication (where Education Minnesota has advised against using district emails), and at meetings held in district buildings.

We have attempted to work collaboratively with them, but the DFT has continued and, in an orchestrated manner, recently took disciplinary action against three of our members. You may soon hear/read/see everything from their own voices and emails, among other sources. DFT leadership and associates have chosen this path. Just imagine how different things could be if they had chosen to act in good faith and demonstrated true leadership.

NEA Today Minnesota AFL-CIO (Sorry, Bernie Burnham, but you’re still being used by Ethan and his friends to undermine our members' rights. Just as in May 2023 and again in May 2026, our president cites you (and Frank) to justify his $140,000 to $220,000 salary.)

P.S. Alberto wants to remind DFT leaders and their associates that complacency and the removal of a member because their partner expressed fear of ICE in relation to their actions last winter still reflect a racist attitude. This gives me the idea to create a post highlighting the bigoted actions of the Education Minnesota District B representative on January 27, 2025, and compare those actions to our own. Who was the one member who had the AIFF file related to this?

🏳️‍🌈Happy Pride! We love to celebrate all our members.🏳️‍⚧️

🚨 It is our understanding that the district offered Duluth Federation of Teachers, a proposal/MOU that may have helped save the positions of 5 educators.

We also understand the superintendent was willing to forgo his salary raise as part of that proposal.

If true, members deserve to know:

❓Why was this not brought to the membership?

❓Why were educators not given a voice in a decision that could impact our colleagues’ livelihoods?

💔 Right now, many educators — especially early-career teachers — are facing layoffs, displacement, and uncertainty about their futures.

✊ Solidarity means protecting those most at risk.
📢 Transparency and member voice matter.
🤝 Our colleagues deserve advocacy, honesty, and a union willing to fight for them.
Education Minnesota Education Minnesota AFT NEA Today

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🚨 DFT Members Deserve Representation — Not Silence

Right now, teachers across our district are facing displacement, layoffs, and uncertainty. For many educators — especially those early in their careers — this is not just a staffing issue. This is about livelihoods, families, classrooms, and futures.

And yet, during one of the most difficult moments our members are facing, we have not heard clear public communication from the Duluth Federation of Teacher leadership about how they are supporting displaced and laid-off teachers.
That silence matters.
Duluth Federation of Teachers, leadership cannot claim to represent members while appearing more focused on approving letters, defending internal decisions, or protecting district administration than standing firmly with the educators most impacted by these cuts.
The duty of fair representation requires a union to represent members fairly, in good faith, and without discrimination. Courts and labor authorities generally look at whether union conduct is arbitrary, discriminatory, or in bad faith.

This is why the current moment raises serious concerns. When members are losing positions, being displaced, or questioning whether their rights were protected, leadership should be visible, responsive, and accountable — not silent.

This is about demanding that our union act like a union.
Education Minnesota AFT NEA Today

Members deserve answers:

❓ What is DFT doing to support displaced and laid-off teachers?

❓ Why has leadership not clearly addressed members during this crisis?

❓ Are early-career teachers receiving equal, fair, and meaningful representation?

❓ Is DFT protecting members — or protecting leadership and district administration from accountability?

If you are a DFT member impacted by displacement, layoffs, or lack of representation, please reach out. We are working to connect members with appropriate resources, including information related to the duty of fair representation.

A union should not be silent when members are scared.
A union should not disappear when jobs are on the line.
A union should stand with the members who need it most.

📩 DFT members: you are not alone.