Classified Conference
First-time attendees at CFT CCE conference share what inspired them
Maira Gutierrez, AFT Local 2424A, Turlock Federation of Classified Employees, President
Why did you come?
I wanted to get more information, because we went from a 40% in our membership last year, to 70% and we’ve been getting a lot of involvement with our members. They’ve been asking a lot of questions, and they are eager to know more about the union. I’m here to give more information, and that way I can take it back to them and provide that information.
What’s been the highlight for you?
AFT joins CCE Conference to lead workshop on student loan debt
In a well-attended Student Loan Debt workshop at the 2023 Council of Classified Employee conference, the facilitators offered information to those struggling to pay back student loans.
Maeve Kline, senior associate at AFT, AFL-CIO, told attendees that more than 45 million people have student debt and about one out of every five borrowers was in default, meaning about nine million people aren’t able to make their monthly payments.
CCE Conference hosts Anti-racist workshop for members
The workshop titled, "Anti-Racist Actions We Can Take in Our Personal and Work Lives," did a deep dive into how we can all do better
At the workshop, “Anti-Racist Actions We Can Take in Our Personal and Work Lives,” at the annual CCE Conference in San Francisco, Tamika Childs, associate director of AFT’s Union Leadership Institute, told the participants they would have some difficult conversations.
With the help of moderator Lisa Agcaoilli (member of Lawndale Federation of Teachers), Childs asked the attendees what community agreements they’d like to make for everyone to do their best. People made suggestions like, “Respect one another, step up or step back, and speak your own truth.”
CCE President Carl Williams: “I encourage you to fight and Flex your Power!”
Carl Williams, President of the Council of Classified Employees and AFT Vice President, started out his address to attendees to the annual Council of Classified Employees conference by telling them he wasn’t going to preach to the choir. He wasn’t going to talk about how classified workers are the last hired and first fired. Or how they’re not treated as professionals. Or how they aren’t paid a living wage often leading to long commutes because they can’t afford to live where they serve. Or how public education relies on classified workers for its existence.
Sunday Funday: Final day of CCE 2023 filled with excitement
The Classified Council of Employees President Carl Williams and Southern Vice President Tina Solórzano Fletcher work hard for the union, but they both also like to have fun. So, Sunday morning before attendees left the 2023 Classified Council of Employees Conference at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Williams hosted a game show, Kahoot!, along with presiding over an auction and a raffle (the proceeds went to a fund for classified employees to attend events like the conference).