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. 

