Dozens of CFT members testify in front of legislative budget committees, urging support for part-time faculty healthcare
Thanks to the dozens of CFT members who testified this week in front of two different budget subcommittees of the California Legislature to urge our elected leaders in Sacramento to support Governor Newsom’s proposal for $200 million in ongoing funding for part-time faculty in California’s community colleges.
Following the launch of CFT’s campaign for part-time faculty healthcare last fall and a successful letter campaign, last month Governor Newsom included the funding in his January budget proposal.
CFT members who attended the budget committee offered testimony about how the lack of healthcare not only impacted them and their families, but their ability to be there for their students as well. The testimony was personal, powerful, and left a deep impression on legislative leaders on the committee. One representative from a college administration remarked that the part-time faculty were out in droves, really organized, and on message.
The CFT campaign for access to quality, affordable healthcare for all part-time faculty continues to gather momentum. Ready to do your part? Send a letter to the California Legislature today.
ABC Federation of Teachers wins a new contract following ‘Work to Rule’ campaign and massive rally at district headquarters
This Tuesday nearly 400 teachers with the ABC Federation of Teachers rallied and spoke out in front of the ABC Unified School District in Cerritos to demand a fair wage. The teachers, who have not had a salary increase since 2019, began a ‘Work to Rule’ campaign last week to protest inadequate movement by representatives of the ABC Unified School District at the bargaining table. A ‘Work to Rule’ campaign involves teachers and school workers only working their contractually-obligated work hours.
The incredible turnout at the spirited rally and the solid ‘Work to Rule’ campaign paid off for the teachers. On Wednesday they were able to settle a tentative agreement that includes a fair wage increase that recognizes the sacrifices teachers have made over the course of the pandemic.
Great work everyone!
Assemblymember Alex Lee re-introduces CFT-sponsored bill to tax extreme wealth in California
This week Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) re-introduced his bill, now titled AB 2289, that seeks to impose a tax on the extreme wealth of the richest Californians. The bill would impact approximately 17,000 multi-millionaires and billionaires in California, which is .07% of the total taxpayers in our state, and would raise more than $22 billion annually in revenue. CFT is a proud sponsor of this bill, and we will be working closely with Assemblymember Lee as it makes its way through the Legislature.
The timing of this bill is no accident. During the COVID-19 pandemic, billionaires’ collective wealth has increased 62%, and they are now $1.8 trillion richer than before the pandemic began. This hoarding of personal wealth while so many working Americans continue to struggle has not gone unnoticed.
“California billionaires have increased their wealth astronomically since the beginning of the pandemic, while regular working families have struggled to pay their bills,” CFT President Jeff Freitas said in a statement that was picked up by the LA Times. “It’s time we took care of each other, and not just watch billionaires fly into space.”
In order to generate long-term, stable revenue for California’s public schools, we need bold, progessive solutions like a tax on extreme wealth. Relying on one-time surpluses will not be enough for the kind of investment that California’s students and our communities deserve.
In the coming weeks, CFT will be sharing opportunities to get involved and let your elected officials know that you support AB 2289.
