News Releases
California Educators Celebrate US Senate’s Vote to Pass the Social Security Fairness Act
December 20, 2024
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy (510-703-5291)
WASHINGTON, DC – CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statements from President Jeff Freitas and CalSTRS Investment Committee Vice-Char and AFT 1521 Treasurer Sharon Hendricks following the US Senate’s overwhelming bipartisan vote in support of HR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, which will repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
From Jeff Freitas:
Rest in power Dennis Kelly
We are saddened to report the passing of former UESF president Dennis Kelly. In addition to being one of the founding leaders of UESF, Dennis was a stalwart member and leader of CFT for decades, ultimately winning CFT’s highest honor, the Ben Rust Award, in 2018. Our thoughts go out to Dennis’s wife Hene, his children Edith and Nathanael, and his entire family.
Rest in Power Dennis. You will be missed.
Sunol Voters Side with Students, Recall Partisan School Board Trustees
SUNOL, CA – Last week a majority of voters in Sunol cast ballots in support of students and successfully recalled Sunol Glen Unified School District School Board Trustees Ryan Jergensen and Linda Hurley. Trustees Jergensen and Hurley acted in an overtly partisan manner and governed in a way that silenced opposing voices and rejected basic tenets of democracy and transparency. They did not serve the best interests of the district’s students and the school community.
CFT Applauds Budget Deal that Includes Critical School Funding and Layoff Protections
SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the 2023-24 budget agreement released today:
“In reaching an agreement regarding the 2024-2025 state budget, Governor Newsom and the California Legislature have once again shown their firm commitment to protecting public education in California. This budget fully funds the statutory COLA for both TK-12 and community college systems, increases the base funding for UC by 5%, and provides critical ongoing funding to address the pressing needs of our schools and students. ”
Calling for a Cease-Fire in Gaza and an End to the Weaponization of Hate
SACRAMENTO, CA – The CFT Executive Council voted to release the following statement at their June 8, 2024 meeting:
CFT Calls on Elected Leaders in Sacramento to Identify New Revenue Sources in Response to Governor Newsom’s Latest Budget Proposal
SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on Governor Newsom’s May Revise budget proposal released today:
“In California’s history, when the state faces dramatic deficits, funding for education is often the first to go. CFT opposes any reduction of public education funding, and the Governor’s May budget revision proposes no new cuts to core education funding from his January budget proposal.
CFT Leaders Call on UCLA Chancellor Gene Block to Resign Following Violence on Campus
LOS ANGELES, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas, UC-AFT President Katie Rodger, and CFT Universities Division Council President Mia McIver released the following statement calling for UCLA Chancellor Gene Block to resign:
CFT Statement on the Passing of Delaine Eastin
Sacramento, CA — CFT released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas on the passing of former Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin:
“I was saddened to learn the news of Delaine Eastin’s passing. As the only woman to ever serve as our state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Eastin was a trailblazer who prioritized increased academic standards and smaller class sizes. Her mark on California’s public education system leaves a lasting legacy in our state.”
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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:
RELEASE: CFT Educators and Classified School Workers Back Measure to Make Marriage Equality a Constitutional Right
Sacramento, CA — Today, CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced their support for ACA 5 to amend the California Constitution to protect the fundamental freedom to marry and remove unconstitutional and discriminatory language due to Proposition 8 (2008).
CFT Educators and Classified School Workers Say NO to Corporate Measure that Harms Schools and Attacks Voters, YES on ACA 13 to Protect Voter Rights
Sacramento, CA — Today, CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced positions on two November 2024 ballot measures.
The education union’s Executive Council voted to OPPOSE the California Business Roundtable (CBRT) measure misleadingly called the “Taxpayer Protection and Corporate Accountability Act.” The initiative was cooked up by representatives of the state’s biggest corporations like oil and gas companies and multi-billion dollar property developers and landlords looking to increase their profits.
Judge’s Ruling on Assault Weapons Endangers Students, Teachers, and School Workers
Sacramento, CA — In response to a federal judge striking down California’s assault rifle ban on Thursday, CFT released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas:
“In striking down California’s 34-year-old ban on semiautomatic guns, a federal judge has put California students, teachers, and school workers in harm’s way. Thirty-four years ago Columbine had not yet happened, and the horrific assault rifle-fueled mass shootings in schools, including Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Uvalde, were more than a decade away.
CFT Statement on 2023-2024 California State Budget
Sacramento, CA — CFT– A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas on the 2023-2024 state budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom today:
State Assembly Votes 77-0 to Approve Legislation to Raise Educator & School Worker Wages to Transform California’s Education System
Sacramento, CA — Yesterday the California State Assembly approved AB 938 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) with a bipartisan vote of 77-0. AB 938 would commit the state of California to raising funding for educator and school worker pay in all public schools by 50% over the next 7 years.
Landmark Legislation to Raise Educator & School Worker Wages to Transform California’s Education System Passes Key Committee
Sacramento, CA — The Assembly Committee on Education today approved CFT-sponsored AB 938 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) to raise educator and classified professional pay in all public schools by 50% over the next 7 years. The bill passed unanimously following a press conference where educators and classified professionals shared devastating stories of struggles educators are facing to do the work they love as the cost of living in California soars.
Assembly Higher Education Committee Approves CFT Proposal Repealing Punitive Approach to Students Repeating Courses
Sacramento, CA — CFT members and community college students applaud today’s vote on AB 811 (Fong) by the Assembly Higher Education Committee. The bill, sponsored by CFT, updates a harsh, punitive policy that prohibits students from repeating courses.
Jeff Freitas Re-Elected as President of CFT
Sacramento, CA — Yesterday, CFT Nominations and Elections Chair Joshua Briggs announced that delegates to the 2023 CFT Convention have re-elected President Jeffery Freitas and elected L. Lacy Barnes as Secretary Treasurer and Juan Ramirez as Executive Vice President. Delegates also voted to pass two landmark resolutions stating the Union’s demands for stronger gun control laws and condemning police violence while calling for meaningful reform.
CFT Applauds President Biden’s Appointment of Julie Su as U.S. Labor Secretary
Sacramento, CA — CFT released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas and Vice President Kent Wong:
CFT Responds to College Board Decision to Change African American Studies Curriculum
Sacramento, CA — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement in response to the College Board’s release of their new official curriculum:
“I’m dismayed that The College Board made the horrendous decision to effectively erase the contributions Black Americans have made and continue to make in our country in order to appease right-wing Republicans. That the Board chose the first day of Black History Month to announce this politically-driven policy shows how out of touch the Board is with mainstream America and any educational mission.
CFT Responds to the Release of Video Showing the Murder of Tyre Nichols at the Hands of Memphis Police
Sacramento, CA —
SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President L. Lacy Barnes released the following statement in response to the video released this evening showing the murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police:
“Tyre Nichols should be alive today.
“George Floyd should be alive today.
“Breonna Taylor should be alive today.
“Laquan McDonald should be alive today.
“Tamir Rice should be alive today.
“And sadly so many more.