CFT Celebrates Pride Month
CFT is proud to join communities across the state and country celebrating Pride Month this year. The first Pride celebration took place on June 28, 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall uprising, when protests swept New York to resist police brutality and persecution of the LGTBQ+ community.
Celebrations for what is now known as Pride Month grew to include parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and millions of people all over the world participated. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
But as we continue to proudly celebrate Pride Month, we also know that this is a fraught time for our LGTBQ+ communities. Attacks on gay and trans youth in our schools and in our society are once again making headlines, as extremists are harming our students to score political points.
“So as we celebrate Pride this year, let us hold our heads up high and stand together and renew our commitment to our LGBTQ+ youth and coworkers,” says CFT President Jeff Freitas. “Like all students, LGBTQ+ youth deserve to learn and live in a safe environment free of fear and intimidation. And like all workers, all CFT members should be able to work with full rights without harassment or fear.”
To help you celebrate Pride, check out this curated collection of Pride Month resources on the CFT website, which includes an updated CFT Pride zoom background.
Governor Newsom, Tony Thurmond, and Rob Bonta warn school leaders against book bans
Yesterday Governor Gavin Newsom, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and Attorney General Rob Bonta sent a joint letter to all county and district superintendents cautioning them against book bans.
“In the first half of this school year alone, 1,477 books were banned nationally, with teachers and librarians threatened with prison time for shelving the wrong book,” they wrote in a statement accompanying the letter. “As state leaders elected to represent the values of all Californians, we offer our response in one shared voice: Access to books – including books that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of Californians, and especially, those that may challenge us to grapple with uncomfortable truths – is a profound freedom we all must protect and cultivate.”
Key CFT-sponsored legislation moves forward in Sacramento
This week three key CFT-sponsored bills passed through the California Assembly, advancing to consideration later this summer by the California Senate.
AB 938 (Muratsuchi), which seeks a 50% increase in funding for TK-12 salaries, passed out of the Assembly with a vote of 77-0. AB 811 (Fong), which would restore the ability of students to repeat courses in community colleges, also sailed through the Assembly with a 74-2 vote. And AB 1699 (McCarty), which would give part-time classified employees the right of first refusal to additional part-time assignments, also passed the Assembly with a vote of 60-15.
Look for a more comprehensive review of CFT-sponsored and supported legislation soon on the CFT website.
Culver City teachers win big salary victory following organizing campaign
CFT members continue to win big through organizing and collective action. A shout out to the Culver City Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1343, who recently came to a tentative agreement that netted an 8% salary increase for the coming school year. Despite record funding from the state and high inflation, district negotiators initially offered just a 2% raise to their dedicated teachers.
The TA was won with the support of parents, who joined the teachers in organizing community rallies, speaking out at the Board of Education, and reaching out to elected officials.
Great work, Local 1343!
