Lorena Gonzalez sworn in to lead the California Labor Federation
This week at the California Labor Federation convention history was made when Lorena Gonzalez was sworn in to lead the 2.1 million-member institution.
Gonzalez, formerly the Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council before serving nine years in the California State Assembly, will become the first woman and person of color to lead the statewide federation.
In assuming the position, Gonzalez gave a moving call to action, unveiling a new statewide organizing drive called Unionize California, and announcing that the UFW is formally joining the Labor Federation.
“The most direct way we can truly improve the lives of Californians is to empower them at work,” Gonzalez said in a statment. “This Labor Movement is going to be laser-focused on organizing workers, fighting for their rights to join a union, and kicking ass until they have the full protection of a union contract.”
CFT president Jeff Freitas wrote that it was an honor and a privilege to welcome Lorena to her new leadership position, while thanking retiring Executive Secretary Treasurer Art Pulaski for his decades of leadership fighting for working families in California.
Worker organizing took center stage at the convention, and CFT leaders and members were right in the mix.
To kickoff the proceedings, Arden Stern from the ArtCenter Faculty Federation joined Amazon Union president Chris Smalls, Starbucks worker organizers, and other workers on a panel on the wave of union organizing sweeping the state and the nation. Smalls is the charismatic leader of the first successful union drive of an Amazon distribution center, has been traveling the nation, joining workers across sectors to encourage more organizing.
On the panel, Arden spoke on how faculty at the ArtCenter College of Design successfully formed a union almost entirely over Zoom. In her remarks she said, “This is our moment! It’s inspiring to see so many people here, ready to take action for our rights as workers!”
Finally, during the convention CFT delegates were successful in getting the Labor Federation to pass two CFT-sponsored resolutions, including a resolution opposing new, independent charter schools and one in support of the Pro Act at the federal level.
Save the date – August 24 webinar on student loans
On August 24 at 12:00 noon the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation will host a free, one-hour webinar on student loans. With student loan repayments set to start after August 31, participants in the webinar will get the latest news and updates and learn about the different repayment options available to borrowers.
This webinar is being hosted in partnership with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC).
Register here.
New 988 hotline launches to help those suffering a mental health crisis
People experiencing a mental health crisis have a new way to reach out for help in the U.S., by simply calling or texting 988 or by chat at 988lifeline.org. The hotline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.
