John McDonald was a Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) was a chairman of the United Schools Association, a political action committee active on issues related to Dearborn Public Schools. ^{1 2}

He was the president of and chief negotiator for the Henry Ford Community College Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1650, in Dearborn, Michigan from 1978 until he passed away in December 2021. ^{3 4}

Activities

McDonald was a contributor to several Democratic Party candidates for office as well as candidates for the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. ⁵

McDonald played a key role in campaigns to approve taxes for Henry Ford Community College. McDonald chaired a campaign to approve a tax proposal on the 2018 ballot in Dearborn, Michigan,^{6 7} and claimed in 2007, “Our unions finance local operational and capital improvement millage campaigns for the College.” ⁸

McDonald was first selected to be one of AFT’s national vice presidents in 2012⁹ and was reelected in 2016. ¹⁰ The American Federation of Teachers has 41 vice presidents. ¹¹

1. American Federation of Teachers. Aft.org. “About”. “Leadership”. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.aft.org/about/leadership/john-mcdonald
2. Henry Ford Community College. Hfcc.edu. “Media information”. News and press releases”. “Local 1650 honors John McDonald in his 40th year as union president”. December 13, 2018. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.hfcc.edu/news/2018/local-1650-honors-john-mcdonald-his-40th-year-union-president
3. Henry Ford Community College. Hfcc.edu. “Media information”. News and press releases”. “Local 1650 honors John McDonald in his 40th year as union president”. December 13, 2018. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.hfcc.edu/news/2018/local-1650-honors-john-mcdonald-his-40th-year-union-president
4. “REMEMBERING JOHN MCDONALD.” AFT Michigan, January 3, 2022. https://aftmichigan.org/remembering-john-mcdonald/
5. Center for Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections. “Donor Lookup”. “John McDonald”. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=John+McDonald&cycle=&state=MI&zip=&employ=&cand=
6. Kavalhuna, Russell A. “Henry Ford College president thankful for millage passing”. Press & Guide. November 7, 2018. Accessed February 25, 2020.  https://www.pressandguide.com/opinion/henry-ford-college-president-thankful-for-millage-passing/article_38e518e2-e2a6-11e8-9ce3-ef6b93231f34.html
7. Walker, Micah. “Henry Ford College’s millage proposal would provide classroom and employment investments, according to school”. Press & Guide. October 22, 2018. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.pressandguide.com/news/henry-ford-college-s-millage-proposal-would-provide-classroom-and/article_747c2714-d64f-11e8-a3af-9f6a14b0ec82.html
8. “HFCC Adjunct Faculty Organization Organizing Committee News”.HFCC-AFO newsletter. November, 2007. Accessed February 25, 2020.   http://www.hfcc-afo.org/news/newsletter1.2.pdf
9. “McDonald elected VP of AFT”. Dearborn-Dearborn Heights News Herald. August 5, 2012. Accessed February 25, 2020.  https://www.downriversundaytimes.com/2012/08/05/mcdonald-elected-vp-of-aft/
10. Kalifeh, Hassan. “HFC teachers’ union president: Stop exploiting higher ed teachers, increase funding”. The Arab American News. September 2, 2016. Accessed February 25, 2020. http://www.arabamericannews.com/2016/09/02/HFC-teachers-union-president-Stop-exploiting-higher-ed-teachers-increase-funding/
11. American Federation of Teachers. Aft.org. “About”. “Leadership”. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.aft.org/about/leadership