Promising returns as Sunol recall election to be certified next week
Earlier this month voters in Sunol took part in a recall election for two school board members in the small Bay Area town. Over the course of the last year the board members acted in an overtly partisan manner and governed in a way that silenced opposing voices and rejected basic tenets of democracy and transparency, including creating a hostile environment for LGTBQ+ youth.
Members of the Sunol Federation of Teachers worked with concerned parents and community members to organize the recall. While the election will be certified next week, current results show the vote to recall both school members ahead in the polls. Look for a further update next week.
Donate to Texas AFT’s Disaster Relief Fund
Our union family in Texas is grappling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The storm made landfall in the state as a Category 1 hurricane before weakening to a tropical depression, leaving millions of homes and businesses without power and killing several people.
Texas AFT is tirelessly working to ensure the safety of AFT members and their communities, but they need our support. Through its Disaster Relief Fund, Texas AFT offers a tax-deductible way for donors to help, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to members in need. Spread the word and support those affected by this catastrophic event.
AFT announces AI guardrails
Last month the AFT launched a pioneering new report setting forth AI classroom guardrails. Compiled by classroom practitioners, "Commonsense Guardrails for Using Advanced Technology in Schools,” aims to protect students and educators from problematic aspects of the new technology, while embracing its potential benefits. The guardrails offer concrete strategies for educators like teaching students to spot misinformation and reviewing new websites or software with students to help them understand potential pitfalls.
Remembering Jane McAlevey
We are very sorry to report the news of the passing of Jane McAlevy, a fierce organizer and scholar who inspired countless workers across the country to successfully organize and win. In addition to her long career in the labor movement, Jane spent the past five years at the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center where she focused on building capacity, civic engagement, and leadership development among California’s public school K-12 educator unions, including many CFT local unions. For more on Jane’s inspiring contributions to the labor movement, read this announcement from the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center.
