CFT Virtual Convention brings hope and change
The 78th CFT Convention with the theme Rise Up, Recover, and Rebuild had some firsts: the first one to be biennial rather than annual; the first under CFT’s new identity, A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals; the first with Jeff Freitas as the CFT president; and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first one held virtually.
National leaders: Pandemic relief is on the way
Vice President Kamala Harris talked about what a difference the the American Rescue Plan will make. “When we were preparing to take office President Joe Biden promised that help was on the way,” she said. “Now that help is here.”AFT's Randi Weingarten and Fedrick Ingram recount AFT's advocacy during the pandemic, and Stanford physician Grace Lee talks about vaccines.
Delegates pass wide range of resolutions – from home
Even though delegates were virtually raising their hands to be acknowledged from their living rooms, they passed resolutions condemning anti-Asian violence, mandating healthcare for part-time faculty, reforming Social Security, supporting the CFT's Extreme Wealth Tax and the PRO Act to increase union organizing. Read about a Convention debate like no other.
The State of Our Union
By Jeffery M. Freitas, CFT President
I believe that the past year will make us stronger than ever before; indeed, it already has. I believe that the trials we have endured have caused us to reflect on who we are and who we want to become and have given us this moment—however unasked for—to take bold action towards creating the future we can build together as we Rise Up, Recover, and Rebuild.
MORE GUEST SPEAKERS
Khalil Gibran Muhammad on racial justice
Until he was in his senior year of high school, taking a class in African American literature, Muhammad says he didn’t read a book by a Black author. “I went to a majority Black school in Chicago,” he said. “But I was never meant to see myself in the curriculum.”
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla thanks members
“You have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Padilla told the delegates. “You have never wavered in your support of students and school communities." Padilla credited his teachers for where he is, saying they encouraged him to vote and to be active in his community.
Ebony Harper speaks on transgender issues
Ebony Harper, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, talked about becoming an activist. She said it started when she came out as trans in the early 1990s and saw a lot of friends dying from AIDS and the systemic oppression against gay and transgender people. “I often say that trans people are born activists,” she said. “We have no choice in the matter.”
AWARDS
Cathy Campbell honored with Ben Rust Award
Former Berkeley Federation of Teachers President Cathy Campbell addressed the largely female workforce of CFT, and told women union leaders they are inspiring the next generation and urged women rank-and-file members to get more involved.
Two members honored with Women in Education Awards
Kati Bassler, the president of Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers and Linda Delp, UCLA Faculty Union, shared this year’s CFT’s Women in Education Award, given for promoting the rights of women and issues of gender equity in the workplace.
Rob Bonta named Legislator of the Year
This year’s Legislator of the Year award went to Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta. In his first public address since the governor nominated him to be California's attorney general, Bonta shared his personal story.
YOUR UNION IN ACTION
New union swag in the CFT Union Shop!
With our new identity comes new swag. From a union button to new union hoody or a "future union member" onesie ... the CFT Union Shop has it all!
High school seniors awarded Raoul Teilhet Scholarships
The CFT awarded scholarships to 16 high school seniors this spring. Children or dependents of members in good standing are eligible for $3000 or $1000 CFT-sponsored scholarships. Support for college tuition has never been more important!
Pandemic toolkit from the union
Here’s a sampling of what’s available in our pandemic toolkit:
ICYMI
