Take action on two critical bills for education workers
Please take a moment to sign two critical online letters, urging Governor Newsom to support public education workers.
#1 – Urge Governor Newsom to give part-time classified staff the right of first refusal to open jobs
Please sign this letter, urging Governor Newsom to sign AB 1699, which would require all public TK-14 schools to provide existing classified employees with a right of first refusal for part- and full-time jobs they can reasonably perform.
The majority of classified school employees only work part-time, and many earn less than $30,00 per year. They struggle financially because they aren’t provided enough hours to make ends meet and don’t qualify for benefits such as health insurance or a pension.
AB 1699 is essential to make sure all classified staff have the opportunity for full-time work with the benefits that they deserve.
Sign the petition here.
#2 – Urge Governor Newsom to support public sector workers who want to honor picket lines
Please take a moment to sign this petition, urging Governor Newsom to sign AB 504, which would provide state and local government workers in California the right to refuse to cross picket lines.
If the Governor signs AB 504, it would make it illegal for the UC (or any other public agency in California) to discipline or terminate any employee who refuses to do the work of people on strike. This would take away the power of the UC to pit workers against each other, as they did during the recent UAW strike earlier this year, when they threatened CFT members represented by UC-AFT, forcing them to cross the picket line and even do the work of the striking workers.
Sign the petition here.
CFT President Jeff Freitas on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein
CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement following the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein earlier today:
“We join our state and nation in mourning the passing of Senator Feinstein, a tireless advocate for equality and fairness. She will always be remembered for her leadership in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, for women and children, for common sense gun reforms, and for protecting the environment. Her legacy will be seen as breaking through glass ceilings in a career of many "firsts,” blazing the trail for the countless leaders who have followed in her footsteps."
Federal Government likely to shut down because of extremists in Congress
The federal government is on the brink of a shutdown — all thanks to extremists in Congress who are threatening the American economy to try and force cuts to programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and more.
House Republicans are marching us toward a government shutdown that would have damaging impacts across the country, including making cuts to food safety, education, law enforcement, housing, Head Start and child care, Meals on Wheels, and much more.
We should all remember these reckless actions, and the real world implications they have for our students, families, and communities, by holding those responsible accountable at the ballot box. For more on the potentially disastrous impacts of a government shutdown, click here.
Free COVID tests and updated COVID vaccine — How to get yours
The Biden administration has relaunched the program providing free COVID tests. Residential households in the U.S. can once again order four free COVID tests from the US Postal Service. Orders will ship for free starting the week of October 2, 2023. Order here.
The CDC is also recommending everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Many are getting their new COVID shot at the same time as their annual flu shot. Details here.
In Solidarity
WGA reaches historic settlement to end months-long strike. A shout out to the members of the WGA, who officially ended their 148-day strike against Hollywood studios this week. The union’s power and resolve on the picket line led to historic wins, including increased compensation, minimum staffing requirements for TV writers, and protections against AI. Congratulations to all those who stood strong on the picket line!
President Biden joins the picket line as the UAW strike expands. This week President Biden, the most pro-union president in history, joined the picket line in Michigan with striking members of the UAW. The historic move underscores the president’s support for organized labor, and it comes when the UAW has expanded its strike to 20 states, including a parts distribution center in Ontario, CA. Click here to read the president’s full remarks.
