Governor signs budget bill with critical language expanding healthcare for part-time faculty
This week Governor Newsom signed AB 190, the budget trailer bill with critical language sought by CFT that is essential to extend healthcare to part-time community college faculty. The budget bill will ensure that the $200 million in annual funding we won in the state budget will have the best chance at securing quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare for the greatest number of faculty.
Critically, we have won the ability for many part-time faculty who work at multiple colleges to access healthcare, and for districts to receive up to 100% reimbursement for healthcare costs spent on part-time faculty, should they offer quality plans.
“This is the culmination of months of incredible organizing work by thousands of CFT members across the state,” said CFT President Jeff Freitas. “Now we move on to organizing and negotiating to implement the benefits at the local level.”
In disappointing news, this week Governor Newsom vetoed AB 1856, which would have increased the workload cap for part-time faculty from 67% to 85%. Citing cost concerns, in his veto message the Governor indicated that he wanted to see how the $200 million for part-time faculty healthcare is implemented before committing to increasing the workload cap.
More labor-backed bills signed by Governor Newsom
Governor Newsom has signed several important bills championed by the labor movement this week, including a hard-fought bill that extends stronger union rights to farmworkers. The bill is a huge victory for the United Farm Workers who marched for 24 days and over 335 miles during their campaign to win the right to vote by mail in union elections.
The governor also signed a bill extending paid supplemental COVID-19 sick leave through the end of the year, and a bill sponsored by CFT that expedites the return of a fully-operating personnel commission at the Compton Community College District. This bill restores the voices of classified staff in matters relating to recruitment, hiring, wages, equity, and other personal matters.
Look for more information on CFT-supported bills on the CFT website in the coming weeks.
CFT President Jeff Freitas says let’s stop banning books
In a video posted earlier this week, CFT president Jeff Freitas shares his powerful personal perspective on why banning books is a terrible idea, only harming our students and families.
“Books must be available to all of our students to reflect their lives, their histories, and their culture,” says Jeff. “Books unite us, and censorship divides us.”
Check out the video and share your thoughts in the comments.
Read the latest edition of CFT United
The latest addition of CFT United was released this week, with lots of great articles recognizing the incredible work of CFT members. Check out articles on new educator and school worker housing in Daly City, hear from educators and school workers on the state of our schools, read the latest column from CFT president Jeff Freitas, and more.
