CFT endorses ACA 5 to enshrine marriage equality into state Constitution
This month the CFT Executive Council endorsed ACA 5, an Assembly Constitutional Amendment set for the November 2024 ballot that would enshrine marriage equality into the state Constitution. While gay marriage is currently legal in California, language from Proposition 8 outlawing marriage equality is still in the state Constitution.
In a statement released following the vote of the Executive Council, CFT President Jeff Freitas said, “Although Proposition 8 was deemed unconstitutional, its hateful language is still present in California’s Constitution. Hate has no place in California and it’s time that voters come together to demand that LGBTQ+ Californians have the same right to safety and inclusion as every other person in the state. As a proud gay man and educator, I join my union in calling for Californians to vote YES on ACA 5.”
The Executive Council also took positions on two additional measures on the November 2024 ballot this month. The council took a position against a duplicitous initiative sponsored by the California Business Roundtable that would endanger voters’ ability to raise funding for schools. And the council voted to support ACA 13, which would retain and protect the majority vote in California. Read more here.
This Thanksgiving make sure it is union-made!
Looking to elevate your Thanksgiving feast? The AFL-CIO has a great list of union-made or union-packaged foods for your holiday. More at aflcio.org.
Listen to the Union Talk podcast on the core values of the AFT
CFT President Jeff Freitas joined AFT President Randi Weingarten and other state and local leaders at the AFT Civil, Human, and Women’s Rights Conference in Houston last month for a conversation about the union’s core values—social justice, democracy, and authentic community engagement. Listen to a recording of the conversation on AFT’s Union Talk podcast.
In Solidarity
The California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS) is on strike this week. Solidarity with state scientists who are taking part in a three-day strike this week in pursuit of equal pay for equal work and recognition of their invaluable work keeping Californians safe, healthy, and well-informed. A union rally and march in support of the scientists will take place at noon on Saturday in Sacramento. Details here.
Cal State Faculty set strike dates for the first full week of December. California Faculty Association members at four Cal State Universities will take part in a one day strike in early December. Faculty in all ranges and ranks need better pay, better parental leave, workload support, and health and safety rights. More details here.
