Detroit Teachers Union Says Threats Of Arrest Made Should Independent Inspectors Be Let In
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit teachers' union says the district is threatening to have its members arrested if they allow independent inspectors in school buildings.
DFT Interim President Ivy Bailey says after the city of Detroit conducted its inspections, their reports recommended an industrial hygienist inspect the school buildings where mold was found to determine its type and treatment needed reports WWJ Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis.
Bailey says the union called on the industrial inspectors and that's when ---they got a letter.
"Basically, the letter is saying that we will be arrested if we brought them into the building -- you know what -- at this point I'm about to go into a building and get arrested because we need to stop playing with the lives of these children."
The letter from DPS Emergency Manager Darnell Earley stated that if teachers allowed inspectors into the building, police would be called and teachers could be arrested according to Bailey.
This situation appears to be escalating.
"I don't know what's going on here - everyone wants to pull a power play - we don't have time for that - if Mr. Earley is saying that he's stepping down - he needs to go yesterday."
She says the city recommended the more detailed inspection.
"For the last couple of weeks, everything they have done has been punitive for teachers - instead of sitting down with us, with teachers, with parents, with community members to come up with solutions to the problems that we are having - they choose, once again to totally ignore us and what we are saying and be punitive," said Bailey.
WWJ has reached out to the school district for a response to the story and have not received a reply as of publication time.
