New year brings renewed focus on standing up for our work and our schools
CFT members throughout the state returned to work this week, with many others just days away from returning to campuses and classrooms. For many this school year has been one of the most difficult of their careers – with schools facing staffing shortages, inflation eating into paychecks, and meeting the needs of students a greater challenge than ever.
But educators and classified professionals continue to do the work. And their commitment to their students and their communities remains steadfast.
According to CFT President Jeff Freitas, as the new year gets underway, at both the state and local levels CFT will continue to push for more resources for schools and more support for students and education workers.
“Our members show up every day for our students and our communities, often at a great personal cost,” says Jeff. “And so there is a call to continue our efforts to make sure they have the pay, tools, resources, and respect to do their jobs. That is why we remain committed to bringing more funding into our schools and to addressing the challenges we face – including the staffing shortages, large workloads/class sizes, and low pay found across our education systems. In 2023, together we will continue to fight for these issues and more.”
UC graduate students inspire with incredible organizing victory
After a six week strike that gained national attention, UC graduate workers ratified a contract late last month that included substantial wage gains, support for childcare, and protections against bullying and harassment. The strike, which was the largest in U.S. higher education history, has inspired academic workers throughout the country to organize.
The UC graduate workers’ successful strike is part of a larger wave of organizing in both the private and public sectors, with CFT higher education members right in the mix. CFT part-time faculty won a significant victory this past year, bringing in $200 million yearly for faculty health care. CFT also welcomed members from three new campuses, with organizing victories at Dominican University, the Claremont Colleges, and Pasadena ArtCenter. And just 13 months ago UC-AFT lecturers also settled a groundbreaking contract on the eve of a strike of their own.
Here’s to another successful year of organizing ahead of us!
Photo above: UC-AFT members support striking UAW workers at a rally at the State Capitol in December.
MLK lesson plans and resources available on Share My Lesson
With the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday right around the corner, there is no better time to check out the fanatic lesson plans and resources on Share My Lesson, recognizing the life and legacy of the Civil Rights icon.
