Key CFT-sponsored legislation signed into law by Governor Newsom, while other critical bills vetoed
The first year of the 2023-24 legislative session has come to an end. This term we were successful in getting eleven bills through the California Legislature and on to the Governor’s desk.
Among the CFT-sponsored or co-sponsored bills signed into law by the Governor are AB 5 (Zbur), which requires the Department of Education to develop and school districts to implement training for secondary teachers to better support LGBTQ+ students; AB 800 (Ortega), establishing the Workplace Readiness Week in all public high schools to teach students their labor rights; and AB 897 (McCarty), which establishes permanent status for adult education teachers after a two-year probationary period.
Unfortunately, Governor Newsom vetoed important legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by CFT, including AB 504 (Reyes), which would have allowed public sector workers to honor the picket lines of other striking public sector workers; AB 811 (Fong), which would have allowed community college students to repeat certain classes; and AB 1699 (McCarty), which would have provided classified employees with the right of first refusal for new positions or vacancies.
In addition to the bills above, CFT-sponsored AB 938 (Muratsuchi), which calls for a 50% increase in LCFF funding for TK-12 schools with the intention of raising education worker salaries, has passed the State Assembly and will be considered by the State Senate in the coming calendar year.
Look for a more in depth report of the legislative session in the coming weeks.
UESF members vote 97% yes in first strike vote
After months of frustrating negotiations over 3,000 United Educators of San Francisco members gathered at Balboa High School in San Francisco on Wednesday to take part in a first strike vote, voting 97% in favor of calling a second strike vote.
"UESF's big bargaining team goes to the table Monday, October 16, knowing that educators are ready and willing to fight for the schools our students deserve," said UESF President Cassondra Curiel in a statement following the vote. "Now is the time for SFUSD management to take our proposals seriously. They can avoid this crisis of their own making by coming to the bargaining table on Monday ready to negotiate a fair contract now!"
Check out this incredible video of the historic strike vote. Fantastic work everyone!
CFT U.S. Senate Candidate Forum is this Saturday
All CFT members are invited to attend the 2023 CFT Senate Candidate Forum, which takes place tomorrow from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. The online forum will feature the three leading candidates for the upcoming U.S. Senate election in California – Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff.
This is a great opportunity for CFT members to hear directly from the candidates running for this important office on the issues that are most important to us. The event will highlight our shared values and priorities and give us the opportunity to hear those of the candidates.
Register here.
AFT statement on the Hamas attacks
Earlier this week the leadership of AFT released this statement condemning the Hamas attacks and expressing concern for the Israeli hostages now in Gaza and for the safety of the Palestinian civilians who are now caught in the crossfire.
Get it together: updated COVID vaccine and flu shot
The CDC is 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.
The Biden administration has also 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. Order here.
