Thank you classified staff!

Thank you for everything you do to contribute to the success of our schools, colleges, students and communities — especially during these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CFT is celebrating your work during Classified School Employee Appreciation Week. Please enjoy and share our classified week edition of your union newsletter and give a shout out to your staff colleagues!

Pandemic underscores essential nature of classified work

During the past 15 months, techs helped power an overnight transition to online learning, custodians learned how to hit back at the coronavirus, health aides are now on the front lines of reopening schools, and the union helped members get their COVID-19 vaccines. Learn about it all in our pandemic update.

Berkeley member dodges eviction, buys home with help of new state law

Jocelyn Foreman is a take-charge community outreach specialist who has helped hundreds of Berkeley families keep their kids in school during medical and economic emergencies. Foreman is legendary and beloved. Only a handful of people knew she was also homeless. A new state law helped Foreman buy her rental house. Don't miss this story of redemption!

New CFT identity brings more recognition to classified

This spring, CFT launched a new identity in recognition of its diverse membership. A primary goal of the rebrand was to integrate the tagline A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals to acknowledge that CFT represents more than teachers. Learn more about the more inclusive new CFT identity

Double duty — classified employees help govern their towns as elected officials

Every day, dozens of CFT members finish their work, pivot, and begin a second job as an elected official. When Juan Orozco isn’t working with teens in the Mendocino County Office of Education, he is serving as mayor of Ukiah. Pacifica voters have elected Jefferson Union High School District school bus driver Mike O’Neill to public office for a quarter century. Learn about these classified employees who have taken the bold step to run for public office.

Two sponsored bills seek parity for classified staff

One CFT-sponsored bill would make the layoff process for classified staff the same as it is for teachers. Another would align the probation period for community college staff by seeking to reduce probation in non-merit districts from one year to six months. Learn more about CFT's efforts for classified employees in the California Legislature.

QUICK TAKES

Classified Conference – join us in Las Vegas October 15!

At our Classified Conference this fall, you can look forward to a pre-pandemic line-up of events with plenary sessions, meal events, workshops, and social events. The theme of our conference is “Classified Professionals — The Heart of Education.” Registration opens in June.

CFT scholarships for continuing college students

Support for college tuition has never been more important. Children or dependents of CFT members in good standing are eligible for $3000 or $1000 scholarships. The deadline for continuing college students to apply for a CFT scholarship is June 15.

Need a lifeline? The Summer Assistance program

The CFT lobbied successfully to continue funding for the Classified School Employee Summer Assistance program, which allows classified employees in K-12 districts to withhold up to 10 percent of their monthly salary during the school year, and receive that money — matched by the state up to a dollar for dollar — during the summer. Get the full scoop here.

New and updated in our pandemic toolkit

We continue to update our collection of pandemic resources. Here’s a sampling of what’s available:

Supplemental Sick Leave — Governor extends COVID-related sick leave by two weeks
Workers' Compensation — COVID-related employee illness deemed occupational injury
Unemployment — How to apply for unemployment benefits through the EDD
Vaccines — CFT, AFT and government guidelines
Reopening Guidelines — CFT, AFT and government guidelines

What's the union's position on the gubernatorial recall? Find out here.

Officers of the Council of Classified Employees are reelected. Find election results here.

The Classified Employee Teacher Credentialing Program has helped hundreds of classified employees become teachers. Learn more about the program here.

The community colleges are key to recovering from the pandemic. Sign on to our campaign to invest in the community colleges!