CFT Convention calls for fair tax policies to address state budget problems

The sixty sixth annual California Federation of Teachers convention, the highest decision-making body of the statewide organization, was held April 11-13 at the Marriott Oakland City Center, with the theme "We do the work, and we vote." Beneath a cloud of state budget cuts and economic recession, hundreds of delegates from across the state discussed proposed resolutions, attended workshops, and voted to set organizational policy for the coming year.

Along these lines, the delegates adopted one resolution opposing suspension of Proposition 98, and another calling on the legislature to craft a bill that would "generate and allocate sufficient funds to education, up to or beyond the national average, that will support academic success for all students."

At a press conference before the convention began, CFT president Marty Hittelman, flanked by two teachers who received March 15 notices, argued that the legislature and governor need to solve the state's budget problems with fair tax increases, not cuts, to support education and other necessary social services. “Students and teachers didn’t cause this budget problem, and they should not be forced to pay the price,” said Hittelman. “No child gets a second chance at their childhood or youth. The governor and legislature have to find a way to raise revenues."

Hittelman expanded on this theme, and discussed a wide variety of other topics, in his state of the union address. Click here to view an excerpt from his remarks.

This year's convention speakers included historian Gray Brechin and author/educator David Kirp. In addition, the CFT bestowed its coveted "Legislator of the Year" award on state assemblyman Tony Mendoza.

Brechin, who is working on a project to catalog the work of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, spoke about the enduring importance of government programs in American life, and the necessity to defend them against anti-government ideologues. Following his presentation the assemblage, on a special order of business, voted to commend Brechin and support the New Deal project.

Kirp discussed research demonstrating the importance of early childhood education to a child's success in school, and outlined policy implications for the delegates. He maintained that critical to the nation's future educational success will be the rapid establishment of universal preschool for four year olds.

Surrounding delegates along the hotel ballroom walls were two exhibits featuring photos and other materials drawn from labor's militant past. One wall drew on an Oakland Museum exhibit commemorating the 1946 Oakland General Strike, and another displayed signs and news stories from a number of CFT's locals' own histories. Sharon Cornu, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, drew applause when she greeted the delegates and noted that with the simultaneous expiration of a number of contracts, unions may launch "the general strike of 2008" this summer. (Click here for the text of Cornu's remarks.)

The delegates were treated to music by the Rockin' Solidarity Chorus, whose three dozen members lifted the house off its foundations with uptempo versions of traditional labor songs and originals.

Among resolutions passed during the weekend were CFT bylaws changes that slightly raised per capitas, and established a Militancy Fund, which will support the defense of people who have been targeted for retaliation by employers as a result of their CFT union activities or organizing.

Some resolutions directly addressed education policy, and others spoke to broader social concerns. In education policy, the CFT is now on record supporting adequate funding for the state Peer Assistance and Review program, improving the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program, and strengthening the state commitment to Career Technical Education, among other positions.

The delegates also passed approval of HR 676 (a national single payer health care bill sponsored by John Conyers), opposition to school appearances by Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE), reiteration of CFT opposition to the war in Iraq, and support for a national K-12 labor education task force and conference.