Teachers' union, president dismissed from sick-out lawsuit

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit teachers’ union and its president have been dismissed from a lawsuit filed by the district to stop educator sick-outs that have forced dozens of school closures over the past two months.

The action was taken recently by Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens.

The district’s outgoing state-appointed emergency manager Darnell Earley had asked the court to force the Detroit Federation of Teachers and President Ivy Bailey to stop advocating what the district considers illegal teacher strikes.

The union has said it was not part of the sick-outs, but has been critical of low pay in the district and poor working conditions.

A hearing is set for March 7 on whether to issue preliminary injunctions against former teachers’ union president Steve Conn and a teacher to stop the sick-outs.