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Safe Havens
Ensuring safe workplaces for students and workers
A movement is underway in California and across the nation to protect our most vulnerable students and their families anti-immigrant actions. The CFT has created a Safe Havens Toolkit for educators, students and families with links and downloads from numerous advocacy organizations.
Students, educators and school staff also deserve to work in places free from the fear o of mass shootings. CFT takes a strong stand for common sense gun control to end the gun violence in our schools.
Historic Victory! US Senate passes the Social Security Fairness Act
Late this evening the Social Security Fairness Act was passed by an overwhelming majority in a historic vote in the U.S. Senate. The bill, which now goes to President Biden’s desk for his signature, would repeal the WEP/GPO penalties that unfairly take hard-earned Social Security benefits from CFT members who also participate in CalSTRS.
Introducing CFT’s Newest Task Force: Educators for Quality Schools
EC/TK-12 Council
Members of a new CFT task force have been working on coming up with actions, both legislation and bargaining, to address the problem of understaffing in schools.
Prior to the formation of the task force, EC/TK-12 Council President Steve McDougall says he and CFT President Jeff Freitas discussed the importance of addressing the issue of understaffing.
Community College Council Retreat Focuses on Building Power
Community College Council
After a successful retreat last year for Community College Council (CCC) members, Jennifer Shanoski, Northern California vice president of the CCC and a member of Berkeley’s Peralta Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1603, got in touch with CCC members, asking them if they’d like to do it again. After an enthusiastic response, another retreat was held in San Diego right before the semester started.
The topics people wanted to focus on included running effective meetings, getting involved with local elections, and building a bench of leaders in their locals.
Final budget agreement for 2024-25
Includes critical funding for schools and community colleges, addresses large deficit
Legislative leaders and the governor reached agreement on a 2024-25 budget package on June 22, which they describe as supporting fiscal stability while preserving key programs. The $297.9 billion deal includes $211.4 billion in General Fund expenditures and a Prop. 98 minimum guarantee of $115.3 billion for 2024-25. It incorporates a multi-year approach that Gov. Newsom proposed in his May Revise, with a balanced budget projected for both 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Taking the Reins on Retirement
Patti Serafin started from scratch when creating a new retiree chapter
Dennis Kelly, President of the Council of Retired Members, thinks retirees, often with a wealth of information and usually some extra time, are the ideal people to get involved with union activities.
That’s why Kelly would like to see locals help start retiree chapters. After decades with United Educators of San Francisco, Local 61, Kelly is now involved with Local 61- R.
The Classified Day of Action motivates and mobilizes
On May 21 hundreds of CFT members gathered outside of the Sacramento Capitol to celebrate and honor the work of classified professionals. The crowd was filled with excitement, pride, and a sense of readiness. All of which fell right into place with the theme of the event: No Class Without Classified: Filling the Gaps to Educate California Students.
T-shirts, buttons, and posters were handed out and gleefully sported which created a colorful bold gathering that drew the curiosity and attention of passersby.
Heart and Perseverance Revive the California March in March
Students and Faculty bring climate justice, affordable housing and accessibility into focus
On a day with weather bright enough to match their spirits, a throng of over 500 students, faculty, and education advocates marched to the west lawn of the state capitol on March 7 in support of community college students, workers, and climate justice. Bringing back the annual March in March, it was the largest such action in the Capitol by student and community college activists in over a decade.
CFT Endorses Adam Schiff for U.S. Senate
Sacramento, CA — This weekend the CFT State Council voted to endorse Adam Schiff for U.S. Senate in the upcoming November Election. CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the endorsement:
Celebrate Women’s History Month
Learn about the history of women in the labor movement and more
Women’s history month is an opportunity to look back at the contributions of women throughout American history. This month we will be posting content on our social media pages that centers women in the labor movement.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Threads to follow along!
Check back here throughout the month for updates and refreshed materials to share in the classroom and beyond.
Governor’s Proposed State Budget for 2024-25
Research Brief
Governor’s initial proposal for 2024-25 budget addresses large deficit without significant cuts or increases to public education funding
On January 10, Governor Newsom presented his initial budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. With tax receipts down this year and the late tax deadline last year, the Department of Finance is estimating a $37.9 billion budget deficit in the year ahead. Despite the shortfall, Governor Newsom did not propose significant cuts to education, instead essentially funding K-14 education at a similar level to the current year.
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.
Part-time Healthcare: CFT Locals in the Fight for What’s Morally Right
One year out from the historic passage of AB 190 (the state budget bill for that year), many CFT locals have been successful in securing full-time equivalent medical coverage for their part-time members, while others remain engaged in awakening the moral consciences of their admin and local boards of trustees to do the right thing.
Universities Council President Mia McIver sets tone for newly named council
For many years, CFT’s Universities Council included nine local unions at University of California campuses. Over the last several months, our Universities Council has been reconstituted and relaunched, thanks to two recent developments.
First, the nine separate unions of UC-AFT unified into one single union, Local 1474. The unification generated more power and strength for UC librarians and contingent faculty, but eliminated the need for a Council that brings together multiple locals.
Following healthcare victory, CFT pursuing new legislative agenda in Sacramento
Following up on our major healthcare victory last year, this year CFT is moving forward in its legislative efforts to improve part-time faculty working conditions and job opportunities.
Faculty push for the face-to-face classes that students want
In-person college classes improve learning, build campus community, and lifelong connections
Joshua McCann much prefers going to campus for his San Diego Community College District classes. Now in his second year and intending to transfer to a UC and major in political science, McCann says connections on Zoom or in your Canvas inbox can’t compare to being with a person in real life.
McCann goes to campus for three out of his four classes. The other night after his philosophy class, he stayed for office hours with the teacher, and ended up having a two-hour conversation about the class with some of the other students.
What budget trailer bills mean for education workers
Legislative Update
On September 30, Governor Newsom signed the final budget trailer bills sent to him by the Legislature after passing the bills and a “budget junior” on August 31. Budget trailer bills are created by the Committee on Budget to provide technical language for the implementation of fiscal allocations. The budget junior bill includes additional allocations as well as additional items necessary for implementation of some July budget expenditures.
The budget-related bills go into effect immediately. CFT priorities in the budget trailer bills are listed below.
How does a district build a village for teachers and staff?
Innovative, affordable, and comfortable housing in Daly City welcomes new and veteran employees
The Jefferson Union High School District knew it had a problem holding onto staff. The district was losing about 25% of its certificated and classified employees yearly, and a survey showed that many were leaving the Daly City school district because of the high cost of housing.