CFT member delegates take part in 2023 Biennial Convention in San Francisco
After four years of not meeting in person, CFT members met in San Francisco this past weekend at our Biennial Convention, under the theme United for Justice, United for Education.
Delegates participated in vigorous debate about key resolutions, attended informative workshops, and heard from inspiring speakers, including Keith Boykin, Jane Elliott, and Randi Weingarten. We recognized newly organized locals and celebrated our members who were elected to public office in 2022.
On Saturday we rallied in Union Square to support UESF and AFT 2121, and their continued campaigns to make sure all San Francisco students and communities have the schools they deserve. Rallygoers heard from UESF President Cassondra Curiel, AFT 2121 President Mary Bravewoman, City College of San Francisco Trustee Susan Solomon and other CFT leaders.
On Saturday evening we held an awards dinner to honor local and state leaders who have gone above and beyond.The Women in Education Award was presented to Palomar Faculty Federation leaders Barbara Baer and Jenny Fererro; Belinda Lum of Los Rios Federation of Teachers received the inaugural Dean Murakami Award, recognizing a member or local’s racial, social, and climate justice work; and CFT’s outgoing Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith received CFT’s highest honor, the Ben Rust Award.
The CFT Convention is our union’s highest democratic body, and it is where we elect officers. In addition to electing a full slate of Executive Council members, delegates re-elected Jeff Freitas as CFT President. Delegates also elected Lacy Barnes of the State Center Federation of Teachers as the new Secretary Treasurer and UTLA’s Juan Ramirez as the new Executive Vice President. Jim Mahler and Carl Williams were re-elected as President of the Community College Council and President of the Council of Classified Employees, respectively, with Dennis Kelly elected President of the Council of Retired Members, and Steve McDougall President of the Early Childhood/K-12 Council.
Remarking upon the newly elected leadership of the CFT, Freitas outlined his vision for our work going forward: “As public education in the U.S. faces unprecedented attacks, it is more important than ever for our educators and classified professionals to come together, united in our commitment to our students and our communities.”
Check out these great photos from the convention, and look for a special edition of CFT United soon for more in depth coverage.
UTLA members strike in solidarity with SEIU 99
This week 35,000 UTLA members across Los Angeles participated in a solidarity strike, joining the classified members of SEIU Local 99 for three days on the picket line. SEIU Local 99 members have been working under a contract that expired in 2021 and are among the lowest paid employees in LAUSD, earning $25,000 a year on average. In December they declared impasse with the district and in February, SEIU 99 members voted 96% yes to authorize a strike.
UTLA is standing in solidarity with SEIU 99 because they believe “an injury to one is an injury to all” and that a fair contract for the district’s classified workers is a win for our schools and communities and helps everyone win the strongest contract.
“These are the co-workers that are the lowest-paid workers in our schools, and we cannot stand idly by as we consistently see them disrespected and mistreated by this district,” UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said during a news conference this week.
UTLA members see this as an opportunity for educators to demonstrate their collective power alongside their classified union as they all push together to win their Beyond Recovery contract campaign.
Regional solidarity leads to healthcare win at West Valley-Mission
With support from their sister CFT locals in the Bay Area, last week the West Valley-Mission Federation of Teachers won an MOU to provide access to affordable, quality healthcare coverage and premium reimbursement for hundreds of part-time faculty. Since the statewide win to fund for part time healthcare last year, CFT locals have worked together to organize faculty and elected officials to win the healthcare benefits all faculty deserve.
Bay Area faculty from San Francisco to Santa Cruz came together for a regional planning meeting in September to strategize about how to organize to take advantage of the statewide funding for healthcare. In October the locals held a region-wide South Bay action with State Senator Dave Cortese, Assemblymember Alex Lee, district trustees, Labor Council leaders, and community organizations to help build momentum for the campaign.
Now the members of West Valley-Mission are ready to help fellow members of CFT locals win on healthcare. On to the next victory.
Ramadan Mubarak to all who observe!
