Derek worked with the Detroit Water Department from August 1986 until 2009. During his tenure with the department he worked in the Building and Mechanical Maintenance section where he learned first hand of practices and procedures of water maintenance and distribution. Derek also worked as a Chief Union Steward of AFSCME (American Federation Of State, County and Municipal Employees) fighting against the privatization efforts of the Water Deptartment. This fight continues today, and is unfortunately being lost.

Derek is a board member of the newly created Detroit's People Water Board, that was formed by a coalition of organizations in Michigan that are concerned with the secrecy, the lack of accountability and lack of public oversite by the Detroit Water Board. Although he is active in other organizations fighting for Social Justice and such, he believes the fight around water and its uses is the fight of life and death and must be at the forefronts of our agendas.