The California Federation of Teachers is the statewide affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.  The CFT represents faculty and other school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education.

January 12, Sacramento—California Federation of Teachers president Marty Hittelman responded to the governor’s state of the state address and budget proposals, as well as the governor’s proposal for a constitutional amendment, in a press conference at the CFT’s Sacramento office on Tuesday, January 12.  Hittelman also commented on “Race to the Top” legislation passed last week with the support of the governor, and announced the launch of a CFT campaign, the “Fight for California’s Future,” as an alternative to the governor’s position that “we have no choice” but to further reduce important social programs.  Following are excerpts from Hittelman’s remarks, and a video of his presentation.

A few days before Christmas workers learned that Sunnyvale's Community Preschool Board of Directors decided to sell the preschool and terminate all 32 workers rather than negotiate with a union voted for by its employees unanimously one year before.  The rally on December 21, featuring the preschool's children and parents alongside the workers, drew wide media coverage for the insensitivity of the Board decision timing.  Tanya Arnaiz photo