18 | AUGUST 10 • 2023
some children from reaching
their academic potential. We
must remove these barriers,
the reason I am involved
with the organization,
Communities in Schools
Michigan (https://cismichigan.
org).
What do you see as the role
of and future for labor in
Michigan and America?
DH: I think we have a great
opportunity to have a bright
future. The polling data
shows that the public is more
supportive of unions than
they have been in a long time.
You see all the organizing
happening. You see workers
fighting for what they deserve,
from teachers to auto workers
to actors and writers. More
and more, people understand
the incredibly important role
unions have in creating a
fairer and more just workplace
and society.
As a Jewish labor leader,
how have your Jewish values
affected your work?
DH: It’s the values I’ve been
brought up with. The values
I strive to advance. Tikkun
olam — to build a better
world. It is the responsibility
of the labor movement. It is
everyone’s responsibility. The
great books of Judaism do not
talk about maximizing profits
at all costs. They talk about
being there for others, always
making sure we share with
those in need. The values of
Judaism (and other religions
and cultures) and the values of
the labor movement are one
in the same.
Who were the Jewish labor
influences in your life?
DH: My family. Beyond
family, Bernie Firestone,
president of the Michigan
Amalgamated Clothing and
Textile Workers Union, was
considered the conscience
of the labor movement.
As his life was taken from
him in 1989 [Firestone was
assassinated by a disgruntled
person, not even a member
of his union], we worked
together for only a few years,
but Bernie had a powerful
impact on me. Our youngest
son’s middle Hebrew name is
Benyomin, for Bernie.
Clearly, our national AFT
President Randi Weingarten.
She is amazing. Outspoken,
incredibly hard-working,
totally committed to tikkun
olam. I was also fortunate
to work for Sam Fishman
when he was president of the
Michigan AFL-CIO.
What are you most proud of?
DH: First, I must say that the
things of which I am most
proud are all a result of team
efforts.
AFT Michigan, as is
our national union, is an
organizing union. We
continue to organize the
unorganized, building the
labor movement, enhancing
our power.
I am exceedingly proud to
have been one of the co-chairs
of the Coalition for the Future
of Detroit School Children.
This Coalition’s report and
legislative work resulted in
legislation that I think saved
Detroit Public Schools. It was
an incredible amount of work,
with an incredible group
of leaders and community
activists, some with very
differing political perspectives.
But we all came together for
Detroit’s kids. It was one of
the best experiences I have
ever had, a full community
effort.
Michigan Gov. Rick
Snyder said he would have
his plan for Detroit Public
Schools in April 2015. Detroit
said our community will
develop the plan. We had a
very intense three months
to meet the governor’s
imposed deadline. After the
report was published, the
Coalition worked for many
months to make most of our
recommendations a reality.
What are your plans for
retirement?
DH: Retiring, as the term is
usually defined, is just not
who I am. I do intend to
work less, to strike a better
balance than I have over all
these years. My wife, Alice,
and I plan to do much more
traveling. And spending more
time with family and extended
family. Maybe I will shock
myself and develop some
hobbies.
However, one does not stop
being an activist — although
you can be an activist for
fewer hours per week!
Whenever I can be of help
to AFT Michigan’s great new
president, Terrence Martin,
I will be there. At his asking,
I continue to work on some
organizing campaigns, and I
am helping to wrap up some
contract negotiations. I will
be doing some consulting
with our national union. I will
continue to serve on some
of the community boards on
which I have served. In 2024, I
will be out there knocking on
doors for President Joe Biden
and other labor-endorsed
candidates.
OUR COMMUNITY
continued from page 17
David Hecker on vacation with
daughter, Joelle, and son, Gustavo.