As world leaders address climate crisis in Glasgow, CFT continues push for a green future
This week elected leaders and activists from around the world are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland for a global summit on addressing climate change. With the renewed global attention on the climate crisis, it is a good time to check in on the work CFT is doing to address this critical issue.
This past June CFT was proud to be one of 19 labor co-sponsors of a groundbreaking report led by professor Robert Pollin, titled, “A Program for Economic Recovery and Clean Energy Transition in California.” The report laid out a roadmap for an equitable transition in California that creates a net gain of jobs, including good union jobs in clean energy industries.
In helping to announce the report, CFT Labor and Climate Justice Committee Chair Kelly Mayhew said CFT members will be critical to the work ahead: “California’s climate goals have put us on a path to create a million new jobs, and educators will play a key role in making sure California jobseekers are ready to succeed,” she said.
At the CFT Convention earlier this year, CFT delegates also passed a resolution in support of putting green schools at the heart of California’s just transition. The resolution committed our union to advocate with the governor’s office, the Legislature, and the general public for the greening of our state’s public schools and colleges.
CFT has taken a leadership role in addressing climate change for many years, including becoming the first statewide union in the country to embrace a climate justice agenda in 2016, and supporting the Green New Deal in 2019.
For more resources and information, including how you can get involved, check out the CFT Labor and Climate Justice page on our website. And check out this new CFT booklet, which provides a big picture overview of the climate crisis and encourages educators to take positive steps that will build resiliency for our students and labor.
San Diego PEER program helps build the workforce to help San Diegans experiencing homelessness
The latest episode of PBS’s Inside California Education program features a powerful story about the Homelessness Program for Engaged Educational Resources (PEER), at San Diego City College. The groundbreaking program, a first-of-its kind collaboration between San Diego City College and the San Diego Housing Commission, provides specialized education, training, and job placement assistance to place workers in programs and services that help San Diegans experiencing homelessness.
In the episode, professor and AFT Guild member Kirin Macapugay sums up why the new program is so special: “When I see our students move on, fulfill their goals, fulfill their dreams, but more importantly see themselves as change agents in our communities...and when I see them out there doing great work and making an impact on the San Diego region, to me as an instructor, that’s a dream come true.”
Watch the video here.
Scranton educators go on strike for the schools their students deserve
Educators in Scranton, Pennsylvania are on strike this week to stand up for their students and their families following years of devastating fiscal mismanagement, budget cuts, and pay freezes. The members of the Scranton Federation of Teachers have been there for their students through steep cuts and the pandemic, and despite working without a contract for five years. Now, with district management canceling healthcare coverage and threatening $7 million in additional cuts, teachers and paraprofessionals have had enough.
AFT President Randi Weingarten joined the members of SFT on the picket line today, calling on the board to do the right thing and support Scranton’s families, schools, and educators. As Randi said, “Everyone in Scranton, except this Board and this office, everyone in Scranton, understands the importance of education!”
For more information and to offer your support visit www.schoolsscrantonkidsdeserve.org.
