A majority of Detroit's 46,000 public school students got Monday off as teachers called in sick to protest news that the school system lacked the funds to pay them as promised.
The sickout closed more than 90 schools in the Detroit Public Schools district.
Area teachers were previously promised they would be paid for work through June 30. The Detroit Federation of Teachers learned on Saturday that DPS planned to withhold salaries due to a lack of funds for work done in May and June that was supposed to be paid after June 30, according to DFT.
Payment would have to be withheld until the state Legislature agrees to spend additional money on the district.
"There's a basic agreement in America: When you put in a day's work, you'll receive a day's pay," DFT interim President Ivy Bailey said in a statement Sunday. "DPS is breaking that deal. Teachers want to be in the classroom giving children a chance to learn and reach their potential. Unfortunately, by refusing to guarantee that we will be paid for our work, DPS is effectively locking our members out of the classrooms."
Educators gathered Monday outside DPS offices to demand a sustainable solution to the district's payment problems.
In a statement released Sunday, Judge Steven Rhodes, who has been named transition manager for DPS, called the decision to hold a sickout "unfortunate."
"I am on record as saying that I cannot in good conscience ask anyone to work without pay," he said. "I am, however, confident that the Legislature will support that request that will guarantee that teachers will receive the pay that is owed to them. The DFT's choice for a drastic call to action was not necessary."
At issue are wages earned by teachers who signed up to be paid on a year-round basis, according to the Detroit Free Press. Those teachers who signed up for the plan are not guaranteed to get paid for work they did in May and June, which was expected to be paid after June 30.
"Teachers in Detroit have sacrificed greatly to ensure our schools stay open and our kids have the opportunity to learn," Bailey said. "But working without pay is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Teachers have mortgage payments, utility bills, grocery bills. Being paid for their work isn't a luxury, it's a necessity."
In all, 94 of DPS' 97 schools were closed by Monday's protests. Classes were expected to resume Tuesday.
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