As a new member of the California Federation of Teachers, you have just become part of a vital and active organization committed to upholding educational standards for our students and the best possible workplace for you. Welcome.

You are the union
A successful union is member-centered—it focuses on the development of the skills of its members so that they—you—might effectively participate in the organization's activities, including democratic governance, defense of the collective bargaining agreement, organizing new members, legislative initiatives and political action. Your participation is essential because the power of the union stems not from its leadership alone, or its staff, but from collective action.

The CFT is committed to helping its locals meet the needs of their members. As educators, our first priority is making sure that we deliver quality education to the public we serve. But to do so our members must be able to concentrate on that task. The best guarantee of quality public education is a robust union of educators, with informed, active members constantly reminding the public of the best steps we can take together to enable our students to achieve success. That process begins with you, but you don't stand alone. The CFT stands with you.

To learn more about what CFT is and does:

• Click here for a 20 page pamphlet, CFT:  Dignity, Respect, Security, which provides an overview of the CFT's structure, values, and functions.
• Click here to download the 24 page Work, Money and Power:  Unions in the 21st Century pamphlet, to learn more about unions, their history, and place in American society today, Work, Money and Power is also available in classroom sets for a dollar per copy from the UC Berkeley Labor Center. Call 510.643.7089. 
• Click here for Seventy Years:  A History of the California Federation of Teachers, 1919-1989, with an overview history of the statewide federation as well as more than forty local histories.

If you would like a single hard copy published version of these pamphlets  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to send an email to the CFT Communications Department.

For more information, contact your local.