CFT celebrates Black History Month
As February gets underway, CFT joins educators, unions, and communities across the country in celebrating Black History Month. This month is an opportunity not only to recognize the critical contributions African Americans have made to our country and our communities, but to recommit ourselves to fighting for equity, equality, inclusion, and teaching honest history.
To help CFT members recognize Black History Month, we’ve put together a great set of resources on the CFT website, including articles to read, K-12 curricula, and great videos.
We will honor Black History Month this year by sharing content and curriculum that connects the past with the work for equality that continues today. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to follow along and share.
WEP/GPO repeal week of action: February 5–9
The National WEP/GPO Repeal Task Force and its support teams from Social Security Fairness, CalRTA, and the National WEP-GPO Repeal Movement Facebook page are sponsoring a nationwide push February 5-9 to remind legislators of the inequities of the WEP/GPO offsets and to get them to co-sign the repeal bills if they have not and to insist on progress if they support us.
This week of action is part of the movement to pass H.R. 82, a crucial legislative measure that addresses the unfair penalization of public service workers on earned Social Security benefits.
For more information on how you can get involved, check out this Facebook page.
AFT spotlights CFT-sponsored citizenship clinics
Check out this great write up by AFT of the wonderful work being done by CFT Executive Vice President Juan Ramirez, leaders from UTLA and El Rancho Federation of Teachers, and community leaders through the AFT’s groundbreaking Together We Rise Citizenship Program, which helps lawful permanent residents navigate the citizenship application process.
El Rancho Federation of Teachers president Lilia Carreon says the key to the success of the program is that participants trust educators and worker advocates. “It makes a difference when you tell them you are a teacher or from the union,” she says. “When they come into the room, you can see fear in their faces. After talking to us, you see a sense of relief and excitement. … I see the hope.”
Pictured above: CFT leaders and community allies at a citizenship clinic on January 12.
Ballots for the March 5 primary election hit the mail beginning February 5
Look for your ballot in the mail next week, and make sure to check out
CFT’s Educators Choice voter guide before you vote.
In Solidarity
Support UC Optometrists’ ULP Stike February 6 & 7. Members of UPTE-CWA Local 9119 will take part in an Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike next Tuesday and Wednesday at the University of California Health Centers in Davis, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Join them on the picket lines and at mid-day rallies each day. Details here.
