From a single election under Michigan’s new public-employee bargaining law to more than half a century of contracts, strikes, and advocacy — here are highlights from Local 1650’s history. This page covers landmark moments; our full timeline, with decade-by-decade detail and dozens more photographs, is preserved in the union’s historical archive — contact an officer if you’d like to see it.
Local 1650 is born
The State of Michigan passes the Public Employee Relations Act. An election held under PERA establishes the HFCC teachers’ bargaining unit, and Harrison Welsh is elected the first President of Local 1650.
The first college faculty strike in U.S. history
HFCC-FT receives its charter from the AFT, then conducts the first college faculty strike in the nation’s history to establish its first contract. Seniority, grievance procedure, and hospital-surgical medical coverage are negotiated for the first time.
Early growth and a second strike
Robert Harrison, George Yee, and Harold King each serve as President through a second strike and the Local’s first lawsuits defending members’ jobs and rights.
John McDonald elected President; a third strike
John McDonald begins what will become more than four decades as Local 1650’s President. The Local’s third strike secures long-term disability insurance for members.
Picket lines continue
Members continue to organize and negotiate, limiting the transfer of K-12 seniority and strengthening the bargaining unit’s independence.
Binding arbitration and a fourth strike
The Local secures binding arbitration of grievances and its second Early Retirement Incentive, then strikes a fourth time after the Board of Trustees refuses a Factfinder’s recommended settlement.
AFT President visits HFCC
AFT President Al Shanker delivers the annual Walter Reuther Memorial Lecture at HFCC, greeted by Local 1650 President John McDonald and Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido.
A presidential visit
The AFT arranges for presidential candidate Bill Clinton to visit the HFCC campus, greeted by President John McDonald.
30th Anniversary
Local 1650 celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a Dinner Dance, featuring member Rick Goward leading HFCC’s Big Band.
An era ends at HFCC
HFCC President Andrew Mazzara — a former Local 1650 member who took part in the 1966 strike — retires after 34 years at the college, 15 of them as President.
Adjunct faculty organize
With Local 1650’s support, HFCC’s adjunct faculty vote 334-41 to form the HFCC Adjunct Faculty Organization, an AFT affiliate.
National recognition
Local 1650 receives the first AFT Higher Education Political Action Award, and President John McDonald meets President Barack Obama at the announcement of a $12 billion federal community college initiative.
Weathering a financial crisis; 50th Anniversary
Local 1650 makes significant contract concessions to help HFC avoid bankruptcy, then celebrates its 50th Anniversary as John McDonald represents the AFT at the OECD Global Education Summit in Jerusalem.
New leadership at the college; COVID-19
Local 1650 welcomes HFC’s sixth President, Russell Kavalhuna, continues advocacy work across Michigan, and shifts to virtual Executive Board and membership meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new chapter for Local 1650
After 43 years as President, John McDonald passes away. Eric Rader is elected President, and Sam Bazzi is elected External Vice President, continuing the Local’s leadership into its next era.
Representing members on the national stage
Local 1650 officers attend the AFT Michigan and AFT National Conventions, continuing the Local’s long tradition of active participation in the broader labor movement.
