CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals
For Immediate Release

Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today CFT Nominations and Elections Chair Joshua Briggs announced that delegates to the 2021 CFT Convention have reelected President Jeffery Freitas and Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith to serve a second two-year term. The two leaders, the first all LGBTQ+ team to lead CFT, expressed gratitude for the vote of confidence in their leadership with both looking forward to helping to build the union and protect public education in the years ahead.

“As we step out of the shadows of COVID-19 we must do everything we can to meet the needs of our students, and to help their families recover from the pandemic,” said Jeff Freitas. “First and foremost, we must continue the fight for long term, stable funding for our schools and colleges to ensure our schools have the staffing and resources they need. But our work doesn’t end there. We have a moral imperative to work for the greater good, including fighting for climate justice, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, racial equity and justice, and democracy for all.”

According to Luukia Smith, this important work will be done through organizing and partnering with California communities.

“As leaders of CFT, we will continue to build the union through organizing and by learning and listening to our members and our community allies,” said Luukia Smith. “Real change will come through elevating our collective voice and partnering with those who believe in public education and in supporting California’s working families. We will continue to broaden our base through value-based work, which benefits not just our members, but our communities in which we work and live.”

More about Jeff and Luukia, who will start their new term on May 26, 2021:

Jeff Freitas was a secondary math teacher who has served as CFT President for the past two years and CFT Secretary Treasurer for the eight years before that. He has been advocating on behalf of members and the education community for more than two decades, including previously serving as President of the Carpinteria Association of United School Employees, AFT Local 2216, as a CFT field representative, and as a CFT lobbyist. Freitas also serves as an AFT Vice President, a California Labor Federation Vice President, a member of the California Governor’s Council for Post-Secondary Education, and a board member of Equality California.

Luukia Smith has served as CFT Secretary Treasurer for the past two years. Prior to that she served as president of the Council of Classified Employees, the CFT division of support staff and paraprofessionals, for two years. Smith led the El Camino Classified Employees, AFT Local 6142, representing staff at El Camino College in Torrance for 16 years, where she has worked for 34 years.

For complete CFT election results, click here.

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CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals represents 120,000 teachers, faculty, and school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education. It is the statewide affiliate of the AFT.