AFT Convention is in Session!
Many of us were looking forward to gathering in Houston, TX, next week for the biennial AFT Convention. However, given the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high priority that AFT and all the AFT state affiliates, including CFT, have placed on the health and safety of our members, this year’s AFT Convention will be conducted virtually.
The work of the AFT Convention began on Tuesday, July 21, with committee meetings, and the general sessions will begin on Tuesday, July 28, and will continue through Thursday, July 30. You can see the full schedule for the AFT Convention on AFT’s website.
Convention delegates will have an opportunity to vote in AFT officer elections via mail from August 1 through August 31.
As the highest decision making body of our union, the delegates of the AFT Convention will be taking up many critical resolutions, endorsements, and member priorities. You can follow along on AFT’s social media accounts, using the Convention hashtag #AFT20. You can also sign up to receive daily email updates of all the latest AFT Convention news.
Betsy DeVos Diverts Federal Funding From Public Schools
It’s no secret that the Trump administration is dangerously failing public school students, teachers, and school staff in their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and in their rush to open in-person instruction in schools.
But perhaps the worst offender is the person who should be a voice for public education: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. DeVos recently ruled that CARES Act relief funds can be diverted from public schools to wealthy private schools, a move so egregious that the State of California has filed a lawsuit to prevent her from diverting part of the $13 billion CARES Act dollars intended for public education to private schools. Of the total $13 billion in CARES Act funding earmarked for public education, $1.65 billion is intended for California's schools.
AFT President Randi Weingarten penned an op-ed in the July 23 edition of the New York Daily News, calling out DeVos’s actions. Weingarten says, “What we won’t stand for is needlessly putting ourselves, our students and our communities in harm’s way because our federal government refuses to take the necessary precautions to get the virus under control, and refuses to make the necessary investments to make our schools safe.”
To join AFT in speaking out against DeVos’s unacceptable decision to place the needs of wealthy private schools over those of public school students, you can sign the AFT Petition. Tell Betsy DeVos to stop diverting public funding away from our public schools.
Special Guest Rico Tamayo on Today’s Facebook Live Broadcast
On today’s CFT Facebook Live Broadcast at 3:00pm, CFT President Jeff Freitas will be joined by the President of CFT’s EC/TK-12 Council, Rico Tamayo.
As teachers prepare for the semester ahead, the EC/TK-12 Council of CFT is working hard to support teachers through the stress and anxiety that is accompanying the start of this particular school year. We know we are all stronger when our union stands as one and when we support one another.
Rico will talk about what he’s hearing from our EC/TK-12 members and leaders and offer a statewide perspective on how the Council can support its members.
To tune in, please head to the CFT Facebook page at 3:00pm!
