CFT leadership conference to tackle issues of racial and social justice in education
For the first time in over two years, next week CFT state and local leaders and activists from throughout the state will gather for an in-person conference to discuss issues critical to public education in California. This year, the CFT leadership conference will bring together leaders in San Francisco under the theme “Organizing for Racial and Social Justice in Education.”
Workshops and discussion sessions will highlight organizing, political action, and racial and social justice with the goal of giving union leaders the skills and knowledge necessary to address systemic racism in our society and in the educational community.
CFT Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes, who heads up CFT’s racial and social justice efforts along with CFT Training Director Christopher Arrellano, is eager to see so many leaders come together at this critical juncture for public education. “We know CFT members have done incredible work over the past two years, and have been there time and again for our students and our communities,” says Lacy. “But we also know the pandemic made advocating for racial and social justice in our schools even more important. I’m excited to welcome so many members from throughout the state to do this critical work.”
CFT Division Councils and State Council will also meet following the leadership conference.
Historic affiliation of AFT and AAUP will strengthen higher education
This week the AFT announced an historic affiliation agreement they are pursuing with AAUP (the American Association of University Professors). The AAUP works to advance the principles of academic freedom, shared governance, tenure, and other standards and policies to produce and protect the knowledge and critical thinking skills that sustain American democracy.
The AFT Executive Council voted unanimously to ratify the affiliation agreement this past Sunday, March 9. If approved by the AAUP’s delegate assembly in June, which is expected, the affiliation agreement will be formally set. Read more about how the affiliation will help strengthen faculty voice and create huge potential for future organizing growth and success.
Nine resources for teaching about the war in Ukraine
With the Russian war in Ukraine now in its third week, Share My Lesson has gathered nine resources to help educators, parents, and students build background knowledge and contextualize what is happening in Ukraine.
In a statement released shortly after the war started on February 24, AFT President Randi Weingarten put it best:
“This unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion is not just an assault on the democratic people of Ukraine, but also a flagrant violation of international law…We stand in solidarity with our fellow unionists in the Ukrainian labor movement; with the educators, students and families in Ukraine; and with their democratic government in this moment of their trial and need.”
San Francisco Archdiocesan Federation of Teachers march, rally, and pray for fair pay
A shout out to the several dozen teachers from the Archdiocesan Federation of Teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area who took part in a march, rally, and prayer for fair pay in front of the Archdiocese of San Francisco headquarters in the City last Friday.
The Catholic high school teachers, stressed and exhausted from teaching during the pandemic in the midst of record inflation, are hopeful that their action will lead to a new contract that recognizes their continued dedication to their students.
