Newsroom
Reference librarians meet complex queries with a human touch
Highly skilled professionals imperiled by administrative cost-cutting, online chat
“We no longer have a visible reference desk in our two main libraries,” reports Miki Goral, a UCLA librarian of 43 years. “Students first have to go to the circulation desk. If the student working there thinks they need to talk to a reference librarian, they often refer them to a 24/7 online chat, which is staffed by a UC librarian only during certain hours.
Otherwise they could be chatting with a librarian in New York, or even Australia. Plus chatting can take 40 minutes to do what you can do in 5 if you’re actually talking.”
Healthy Kids, Healthy Minds legislative program prioritizes nurses and libraries
By Joshua Pechthalt, CFT President
The CFT is launching a new legislative effort called Healthy Kids, Healthy Minds to ensure that all of California’s K-12 schools have a nurse and mental health professional, and a credentialed librarian in an open library during and after school.
Affordable Care Act: Providing options to part-time workers
Three part-time educators do the math, find different ways to meet their
healthcare needs
Lisa Agcaoili nervously waited to speak with a Covered California counselor in a West Los Angeles College cafeteria, where thousands of people had come to a Health and Enrollment Fair for solid information about their options under the Affordable Care Act.
Pilot colleges resist implementing two-tier fees in new law
FiFive of six districts not following program mandated in AB 955
In October, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the controversial Assembly Bill 955, which allows six colleges to charge students out-of-state rates for high-demand classes, such as English and algebra, during the winter and summer sessions. This means about $200 a unit, as compared to the current $46.
Fair accreditation: Congresswomen lead forum in support of City College
Fair accreditation, transparency demanded of out-of-control agency
Cañada College alumnus and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo called community colleges lifeboats and springboards for Californians. Congresswoman Jackie Speier said they keep our workforce vibrant. And state Sen. Jim Beall said seven of his nine siblings went to community colleges, the only way they could afford higher education.
Annual conference salutes four classified heroes
From Pasadena to San Francisco, staff make a difference every day
Nothing better illustrates the theme of this fall’s Classified
Conference, “Celebrating Our Role in Quality Education,” than the
staff who go above and beyond the call of duty.
The honorees were nominated by their unions and selected as
Members of the Year because they are positive role models for
workers and students, contribute to the success of the local, and
are committed advocates of high-quality education.
Adult Education: New regional consortia meld state programs
Grassroots action required to meet community needs
By Cynthia Eagleton
Ever Since Wall street crashed into Main Street five years ago, adult education has been in a state of change. Until five years ago, adult education in California was stable: Classes were provided primarily through K-12 districts as a protected categorical, and in a few cities, as non-credit offerings at community colleges.
New booklet! Know Your Rights: A guide to workplace laws for classified employees and paraprofessionals
This new 40-page booklet provides a comprehensive analysis of the California Education Code as it relates to classified employees. It includes topics such as hours of employment, vacation and leaves, refusal to perform unsafe work, layoff and reemployment, collective bargaining rights and much more.The booklet also covers the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and contains the Weingarten Rights.
2014 brings new professional opportunities
By Paula A. Phillips, President, CFT Council of Classified Employees
As 2013 winds to a close and we look back on the year, there are many reasons for classified employees to be thankful. After years of cuts, more resources are flowing into schools and colleges, thanks to our efforts to pass Prop. 30. K-12 education will see a more equitable funding formula and a new law requires more consideration of classified staff in district professional development plans.
Preventing violence on campus and preparing for disaster
Nothing inspires fear like the thought of a gunman on a rampage. There have been 115 “active shooter” incidents reported across the United States since July 2012 causing the tragic loss of 85 lives and hundreds of injuries.
Several of the deadliest incidents have been on campus. In June, a heavily armed gunman killed three people in the neighborhood surrounding Santa Monica College, then claimed three more victims on campus, including a custodian and his daughter.
Affordable Care Act helps uninsured part-time workers
Lisa Agcaoili paces nervously as she waits to speak with a Covered California counselor in a West Los Angeles College cafeteria. Thousands of people have come to a Health and Enrollment Fair for solid information about their options under the Affordable Care Act.
Agcaoili hasn’t had insurance in the more than 20 years she has worked for the Lawndale Elementary School District. The part-time instructional assistant works fewer than 30 hours a week and isn’t eligible for district health plans. She is over 50 and suffers migraines daily.
More local action from around the state
»Menifee Council of Classified Employees negotiated five bereavement leave days for members, matching the number district teachers have.
»Tuolumne County Council of Classified Employees won a 3.15 percent increase in compensation for classified employees in the county office.
»United Educators of San Francisco published a booklet, Paraprofessionals and their Union, detailing the history of district paras and their union.