CFT members were in the state capitol this week to raise funding for California schools
CFT members from across the state were in Sacramento this Wednesday to formally launch AB 477 (Muratsuchi), a bill that would make transformational investments in school funding at a time when low wages are driving teachers and school staff out of the profession we love, and as attacks and threats from the Trump administration on public education are making our work even more difficult.
AB 477 seeks to raise LCFF funding for K-12 schools by 50% over the next ten years, with the intent to raise wages for school staff. The bill is similar in scope to AB 938, a bill sponsored by CFT last legislative session which ultimately, despite broad bipartisan support, was amended to remove the funding mandate and focus on salary data collection.
According to CFT President Jeff Freitas, CFT is bringing the bill back this year because the stakes are even higher than before.
“At a time when the Trump administration is threatening billions of dollars in federal funding for public schools in California, AB 477 represents a commitment by our state that we will be there for our students and for those who serve them every day in our schools,” said Freitas.
The AB 477 announcement was part of a broader day of legislative advocacy at the capitol. CFT members from throughout the state met with our state’s elected leaders to discuss issues critical to our members and our students, including special education staffing reform, paid maternity leave, protections on contracting out classified work in schools, and establishing due process protections for part-time faculty.
Thanks to all who took part in the successful day!
CFT classified members represent at AFT PSRP conference in Portland
CFT classified professionals were out in force at the national AFT PSRP conference last weekend in Portland, Oregon. (PSRP, or paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, is the term AFT uses to identify classified workers.)
The conference theme this year, “Framing Our Future: Solutions for a Brighter Tomorrow,” was geared toward envisioning a world that our students deserve, and about building the power we need to make that vision a reality. A highlight of the conference was the reintroduction of the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights in Congress.
“It’s important to be around folks who know the struggle at a time like this,” said CFT Council of Classified Employees President Carl Williams, who also serves as the Co-Chair of the AFT PSRP Program and Policy Council. “Folks left the conference with a wealth of knowledge and hope, bolstered by the fact that our work will always be essential to student success.”
CFT members turn out for April 5 ‘Hands Off’ rallies
On Saturday, April 5, CFT members joined hundreds of thousands of people across the country who flooded the streets in more than 1,300 “Hands Off!” rallies in cities across all 50 states. The message was clear and thunderous: enough is enough! Protesters demanded an end to the escalating authoritarianism and attacks on everyday Americans led by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Turnout signaled a growing, powerful movement ready to defend democracy, civil rights, public education, and the working class.
Join Bernie Sanders and AOC at the Fighting Oligarchy Tour stops this week in CA – Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will take part in three rallies in California in the coming days as part of Bernie Sanders’s national Fighting Oligarchy Tour. Stops include April 12 in Los Angeles, April 15 in Bakersfield (10:30 a.m.) and in Folsom (3:30 p.m.).
50501 National Day of Action - April 19 – The next 50501 National Day of Action, with rallies planned across the country and state, will take place next Saturday, April 19. Details here.
Read the latest edition of CFT United
Check out the latest edition of CFT United, now published on the CFT website. This edition contains several great write ups on the 2025 CFT Convention, which took place in San Diego last month under the the theme, “Union Power for All.”
And finally, please join us in wishing happy birthday to labor icon Dolores Huerta!
