The East Detroit Federation of Teachers, local 698 went on strike twice in May 1947 to enforce their demands for pay increases to match the current living costs in the post war years. After on and off negotiations, teachers received an average of $200, bringing their average pay to $2,200 a year. This was the first successful teachers strike in Michigan.

In 1951 the Tenure Act of Michigan finally had some meaning. A teacher from Melvindale in 1947 was fired with very poor evidence. The MFT decided to support the litigation and pursued the case. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Tenure Commission was obligated to consider cases anew, or with a fresh look, and that the commission could make a different decision regarding the extent of the teacher's misconduct. Finally the state of Michigan had a valid tenure law. Members of the federation also knew now that the MFT was there when they needed help the most.

In 1959, the Michigan Federation of Teachers elected Jane Rehberg as the first full time paid president of the union. This indicated that the MFT had grown considerably and was able to commit to building a larger movement. Rehberg served only one term and was succeeded in 1961 by Henry Linne who lead the MFT for twenty years.