Newsroom
Legislature changes independent study to allow distance learning option
Changes for school year 2021-22
The state budget package for 2021-22 includes changes to independent study to allow all schools to offer a replacement for a distance learning option for students and families who prefer to remain outside of in-person instruction.
Legislature fails to extend COVID-19 Supplemental Sick Leave
Legislative Update
The COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave is set to expire September 30 and due to legislative deadlines, it is no longer possible for the Legislature to pass an extension before the existing SPSL expires.
Governor provides flexibility to hire retired teachers, staff during pandemic
Allows retirees to return to work within 180 days of retirement
On August 16, 2021, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-12-21 to provide additional flexibility to hire retired K-12 teachers, community college faculty, and classified staff during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Recall Ballot FAQ – “Just vote NO and go!”
Confused? You are not alone. What you need to know about the recall ballot
Most voters have received their mail ballots for the September 14 Recall Election and the CFT is hearing many questions. Here we answer the most common questions about the recall ballot and voting and share CFT recommendations and resources.
What do our elected leaders say about the recall?
Governor Newsom leads the nation in worker protections. Vote NO on the recall
While Governor Newsom continues to have our backs by putting in place the strongest worker protections in the nation, anti-union special interests are funneling millions into the recall campaign to weaken or eliminate laws that protect our pay, health care, retirement and safety on the job.
See our Back-to-School tour in pictures!
Forward Together!
CFT leaders visited school communities and workplaces during a statewide two-week back-to-school tour. On the Back-to-School: Forward Together tour, CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes met with educators, classified employees, students and parents to support a safe return to in-person learning. CFT leaders also shared their vision for maximizing a record state budget investment to strengthen academic achievement and student social emotional well-being.
Delta variant surge leads to new federal and state guidelines for masking, testing
Back-to-school update for TK-12 and higher education
Update: Governor Newsom announced that all California educators must show proof of vaccination or submit to regular testing beginning October 15, 2021. CFT supports the new “vaccinate or test” policy to keep schools and communities safe. Read our full statement here.
CFT Back-to-School Tour — Forward Together
Union leaders to visit local unions throughout the state
The CFT kicked off a two-week back-to-school tour to visit school communities throughout the state. Starting on August 9, CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes will visit AFT local unions and schools up and down California as the new academic year begins for full in-person learning.
State budget adopted for 2021-22 boasts all-time high for education spending
Research Brief
Governor Newsom and the state Legislature came to an agreement on a $263 billion budget that reflects the state’s extraordinary surplus and billions from the latest round of federal stimulus funding from the American Rescue Plan. Spending for K-12 education totals $123.9 billion and is at an all-time high, including the largest ever allocation of Proposition 98 funding for schools and community colleges.
What’s in the largest ever state education budget?
Legislative Update — historic investment coming in 2021-22
On July 9, Governor Newsom signed a historic education budget with an unprecedented investment in our students and schools.
The California Legislature voted on and passed identical budget bills (AB/SB 129) on June 28, after reaching agreement with the governor about most budget issues. The full budget is $263 billion, thanks to an extraordinary surplus and the latest round of federal stimulus funding from the American Rescue Plan. A few outstanding details will be finalized in trailer bills.
The Pollin Report: A bold clean energy transition in California is possible
CFT joins labor groups in support of newly released report
By Jim Miller, AFT Guild, Local 1931
In mid-June, California got some great news in a report sponsored by a wide range of labor unions, including the CFT. A clean energy transition in our state is a realistic goal and workers do not have to be left behind to accomplish it.
Looking forward to life, work, and union without COVID
Embracing opportunities the pandemic has brought forward
By Jeffery M. Freitas, CFT President
The last year and a half of my communications with you have told the story of the COVID-19 pandemic, our union’s early responses to the changes wrought by the virus, our diligence in keeping school communities healthy and safe, and the first glimmers of hope as vaccines became available and community spread began to decline.