Solidarity with striking UC academic workers
This week 48,000 UC academic workers walked off the job in the largest higher education strike in history. The strikers, who work as graduate teaching assistants, researchers, and postdoctoral scholars at ten campuses across the state, are demanding an end to poverty wages.
Last year UC-AFT lecturers won a groundbreaking contract following years of organizing and hours from a strike. With the graduate workers now on the picket line, former UC-AFT President Mia McIver and UAW Local 4121 Vice President Levin Kim are calling on all education workers to unite to transform higher education:
“Isolated actions are not going to solve a systemic problem. Higher education workers of all stripes must unite….” they wrote in an op-ed in the Sacramento Bee. “Labor justice for campus workers and education justice for students and alumni go hand in hand. The future of our democracy, which depends on an educated citizenry, is at stake.”
For more information about how you can help striking UC academic workers, including where to join the picket line, go to www.fairucnow.org.
Pictured above: UC-AFT members proudly rally in support of striking academic workers at UC Berkeley.
Sign the petition to tell UC to negotiate with UCLA Lab School Demonstration teachers now
UCLA management is refusing to bargain with UC-AFT teachers who work at the UCLA Lab School, a K-12 school located on the UCLA campus. After months of delay and nearly 3 years without a contract, it is time for UCLA to sit down and settle a contract.
Please take a moment to sign the petition to UCLA management, demanding that they negotiate a contract in good faith.
Cabrillo College approves name change
After months of organizing by faculty, staff, and students, this week the Cabrillo College Board of Trustees voted to change the name of their college. Cabrillo College is named after Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, whose legacy is tied to the genocide of indigenous peoples throughout California.
CFT Part-Time Faculty Committee Co-Chair, and Cabrillo college instructor, John Govsky sparked the effort to change the name when he spoke up at a trustee meeting two years ago following the murder of George Floyd.
“Now that the college has decided to change its name our students of indigenous backgrounds will no longer have to go to school at an institution that honors Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who made a fortune in the America’s by enslaving the native people,” says John.
Happy Thanksgiving
As we are about to enter the week of Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude for all of the work CFT members do day in and day out for our students, our schools, and our communities. We are thankful for your service and dedication, and your continued willingness to stand tall to protect and defend public education in California.
We know, however, that the holidays can be a very difficult time for some. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can reach out for help 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.
