Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

August 19, 2022 at 9:00 PM

Inside CFT: Better pay top of mind during CFT Back to School tour

Members report need for better pay during CFT Back to School tour With CFT Back to School tour stops this week in Pico Rivera, Orange County, Gilroy, and Daly City, a common theme continues to rise to the top of concerns expressed by educators and classified professionals –…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

August 12, 2022 at 8:48 PM

Inside CFT: Yes on Proposition 1; CFT’s Back to School Tour kicks off; Weingarten highlights education staff shortage

CFT supports Proposition 1: enshrining access to abortion in state’s Constitution   As we approach the November election, Inside CFT will regularly feature a proposition that will appear on your November ballot and highlight CFT’s position on that measure. First up: Propos…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

August 5, 2022 at 8:16 PM

Inside CFT: Back to school tour by CFT leaders starts next week

CFT leaders embark on back to school tour starting Monday CFT president Jeff Freitas, Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes will hit the road next week on a statewide back to school tour. During the tour over the next couple of months they wil…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 29, 2022 at 8:52 PM

Inside CFT: Lorena Gonzalez sworn in to lead the California Labor Federation

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 Die…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 22, 2022 at 8:55 PM

CFT members shine at the AFT convention

CFT members shine at the AFT convention Over 150 CFT members came to Boston last week ready to work at the 2022 AFT convention. Joining thousands of educators, school workers, and healthcare professionals from throughout the country, CFT members brought lots of energy and e…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 15, 2022 at 9:24 PM

Inside CFT: CFT members join thousands at AFT Convention in Boston

CFT members join thousands at AFT Convention in Boston This week over 150 CFT delegates are joining thousands of educators, school workers, public employees, and healthcare professionals from throughout the country at the 2022 AFT Convention in Boston. According to CFT Pre…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 1, 2022 at 8:10 PM

Inside CFT: Record education budget includes $200 million for part-time faculty healthcare

CFT advocacy nets $200 million yearly funding for part-time community college faculty healthcare in record state budget Yesterday Governor Gavin Newsom signed a record education budget that represents a historic investment in our K-12 schools, community colleges, and unive…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 24, 2022 at 11:00 PM

Inside CFT: ArtCenter faculty win union vote to join CFT!

ArtCenter faculty win union vote to join CFT! Congratulations to the faculty of the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, who voted to become members of CFT in a union election certified this week. The nearly 700 part-time and full-time faculty at the college now compris…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 24, 2022 at 9:07 PM

CFT leaders condemn Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade

CFT leaders condemn Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary-Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court decision today in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health O…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 17, 2022 at 8:35 PM

Inside CFT: Major victory for part-time faculty healthcare within reach

$200 million for part-time faculty healthcare within reach In their budget proposal sent to the Governor this week, the California Legislature included the $200 million in annual funding for part-time community college faculty healthcare that we have been championing. The inc…

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  Jeffery M. Freitas · [email protected]

June 8, 2022 at 8:58 PM

Enough is Enough! Join a “March for Our Lives” event near you this Saturday

AFT announces “Enough is Enough” campaign Dear CFT Members, Last week, AFT announced support for a nationwide Enough Is Enough campaign in partnership with March for Our Lives, AFT affiliates, and other allies. Educators, parents, and students will send the message that “enou…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

June 2, 2022 at 7:09 PM

CFT United | Reelect Tony Thurmond on Tuesday, part-time faculty power up, skilled trades workers convene

Thank you for another successful school year in these difficult times Help reelect Tony Thurmond on June 7 Get our endorsements for Tuesday's Primary Election! If State Superintendent Tony Thurmond (above center) …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 27, 2022 at 8:18 PM

Inside CFT: Action must follow tragedy in Uvalde, Texas

Action must follow tragedy in Uvalde, Texas CFT President Jeff Freitas made the following call to action this week following the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas: “Yesterday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, 19 children and two adults senselessly lost their lives to…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

May 25, 2022 at 7:53 PM

Part-Timer | Special Report from our Part-Time Faculty Conference

Embrace the fight for part-timer healthcare! Part-time faculty power up for change! A crowd of more than 100 members strong — some seasoned part-timers with decades of experience, others new adjuncts for which thi…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 20, 2022 at 8:14 PM

Inside CFT: Happy Classified School Employee Week!

Happy Classified School Employee Week! This week we are celebrating Classified School Employee Week, recognizing all the support staff and paraprofessionals who help our early childhood centers, schools, and colleges succeed. Classified employees perform essential work and …

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  Jessica Ulstad · [email protected]

May 10, 2022 at 8:55 PM

Check out the CFT voter guide before filling out your June primary election ballot

Dear John, Ballots are arriving this week across California for the June 7, 2022 primary election, and once again we have the opportunity to support candidates and measures that support our schools and California’s working families. Before you vote, please take a moment to r…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 6, 2022 at 7:52 PM

Inside CFT: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week - Part-time faculty organize in Sacramento

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Happy teacher appreciation week to all the teachers and fellow educators out there who continue to go above and beyond for your students every single day. We hope that you have been showered with kind notes and recognition this week, by your…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 29, 2022 at 9:30 PM

Inside CFT: Alliance charter school educators in Los Angeles take part in one day strike

Alliance charter school educators in Los Angeles take part in one day strike Teachers and educators at four Alliance College-Ready charter schools in Los Angeles took part in a one-day Unfair Labor Practices strike this week in response to the school’s refusal to recognize …

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  CFT Council of Classified Employees · [email protected]

April 28, 2022 at 9:57 PM

Last chance! Register now for our first-ever Custodial & Skilled Trades Conference

Free to members! Great workshops! Great opportunity! Are you a classified employee who works in the trades or custodial services? The deadline is fast approaching to register for our first first-ever Custodial and Skilled Trades Conference on M…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 22, 2022 at 9:11 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrate Earth Day with CFT’s newest publication - The Climate File

Celebrate Earth Day with CFT’s newest publication - The Climate File In celebration of Earth Day, we are happy to announce the newest publication from the CFT Labor and Climate Justice Education Committee – The Climate File. This new booklet is designed to introduce student…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

April 18, 2022 at 2:00 PM

Part-Timer | Healthcare for part-time faculty now!

From the CFT Community College Council What does losing healthcare look like for part-time faculty? See how losing healthcare has affected three part-time faculty members and how CFT is fighting to secure $200 mil…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 15, 2022 at 8:57 PM

Inside CFT: Dominican University of California full-time faculty vote to join CFT!

Dominican University of California full-time faculty vote to join CFT! We are happy to report that this week the full-time faculty of the Dominican University of California have voted to join CFT in an election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. Founded in 1890…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 8, 2022 at 6:22 PM

Inside CFT: Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed; Part-time faculty campaign in full swing for healthcare and pay parity

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed to U.S. Supreme Court On Thursday, April 7, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed in a bipartisan vote of the Senate to be the first Black woman and the first public defender to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson is an experienced, exc…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

April 7, 2022 at 2:00 PM

Classified Insider | Instructional aides in crisis, Staff shortage, Trades Conference

From your Council of Classified Employees The new normal for special education instructional aides Acute staff shortages are hobbling the return to in-person learning in California schools. The hardest positions t…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 28, 2022 at 10:27 PM

Claremont Colleges Services librarians vote to join CFT!

Claremont Colleges Services librarians join CFT! Last week it was officially announced that librarians and library staff from the Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) voted to join the CFT in a union election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. The votes from the m…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

March 25, 2022 at 1:30 PM

CFT United | Special Edition – Organizing for Racial and Social Justice in Education

Understanding implicit bias, supporting undocumented students, dismantling male supremacy & white supremacy Members organize for racial and social justice in education About 200 CFT members from around the state converged in San Francisco for a Leadership Conference …

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

March 14, 2022 at 7:01 AM

CFT United | Part-timers on losing healthcare > Special educators fight for change

Defending free thought > Elders preserve union history > Classified listening tour ALL-UNION NEWS Stand up to defend free thought, honest history, and gender identity Together we can fight for what is right for our school communities, what is right for our students, …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 11, 2022 at 10:23 PM

Inside CFT: Organizing for racial and social justice in education

CFT leadership conference to tackle issues of racial and social justice in education For the first time in over two years, next week CFT state and local leaders and activists from throughout the state will gather for an in-person conference to discuss issues critical to …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 4, 2022 at 9:34 PM

Inside CFT: Masks in schools now a local decision

Masks in schools now a local decision On Monday Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health announced updated guidance on masking in K-12 schools, lifting mandatory masking and transitioning to strongly recommending masking after March 11, 2022. The de…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM

Inside CFT: President Biden nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court

President Biden nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court Earlier today President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. The daughter of public school teachers and a former public defender, Ketanji Brown Jackson has been called 'an…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 18, 2022 at 10:45 PM

Inside CFT: Part-time faculty step up to win the healthcare they deserve

Dozens of CFT members testify in front of legislative budget committees, urging support for part-time faculty healthcare Thanks to the dozens of CFT members who testified this week in front of two different budget subcommittees of the California Legislature to urge our elect…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 4, 2022 at 9:48 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrating Black History Month

Happy Black History Month! This month we celebrate Black History Month to lift up the history and importance of Black life in our country and to recommit ourselves to fighting for equity, equality, and inclusion and to teaching honest history. As part of the celebration of B…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 28, 2022 at 10:34 PM

Inside CFT: Parents stand with educators and public schools

Parents stand with educators and public schools A new national poll released by AFT this week found that supermajorities of parents give public school teachers high marks for their herculean efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents' perception of educator unions is also…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 21, 2022 at 10:12 PM

Urge our elected leaders in Sacramento to restore emergency COVID sick leave

Dear John, With the omicron variant continuing to surge across the state, too many educators and school workers are being forced to choose between their paychecks and the health and safety of their families and the students they serve. Please take a moment to urge your elect…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 14, 2022 at 10:27 PM

Inside CFT: Governor Newsom heard our concerns and proposed $200 million to fund healthcare for part-time faculty

Governor Newsom proposes $200 million to fund healthcare for part-time community college faculty Governor Newsom proposed $200 million in ongoing funding for healthcare coverage for part-time community college faculty in his January budget presentation released this week. The…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 7, 2022 at 10:19 PM

Inside CFT: Educators deserve thanks as schools return to instruction as omicron surges

Educators and school workers deserve resources, respect, and thanks as schools return during omicron surge K-12 staff and students throughout the state began returning to school this week with the omicron variant continuing to surge at increasingly rapid rates. While many dis…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 22, 2021 at 8:49 PM

Happy holidays from CFT!

? Jeffery M. Freitas, President Luukia Smith, Secretary-Treasurer | L. Lacy Barnes, Senior Vice President ? Contact Us Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Califo…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 17, 2021 at 9:16 PM

Inside CFT: CFT’s Carl Williams to co-chair national task force on school staff shortages

CFT Council of Classified Employees president to co-chair national task force on teacher and staff shortages We are proud to announce that CFT Council of Classified Employees president Carl Williams has been tapped to co-chair AFT’s new national task force on teacher and sch…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

December 13, 2021 at 2:01 PM

CFT United | Higher ed's moment, staff shortages and burn out, supporting students in need

Give holiday gifts of social justice and solidarity ALL-UNION NEWS UC lecturers' victory inspires fight for equity in community colleges By Jeffery M. Freitas, CFT President People are finally starting to hear what we have been saying for decades: The overreliance on part…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 10, 2021 at 9:57 PM

Inside CFT: Momentum growing to cancel student debt

Momentum growing to cancel student debt After a 21-month pause on student loan payments, put in place by the CARES Act to alleviate financial strain caused by the pandemic, payment requirements will resume on February 1, 2022. But a recent national survey from the Student Debt…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 3, 2021 at 10:21 PM

Inside CFT: Vaccines for children could be a game changer

Vaccines for children could be a game changer With the arrival of the Omicron variant, public health officials are once again strongly urging all eligible people to receive a COVID-19 vaccination – including children ages 5 to 11. But we know that some parents and educators ha…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 19, 2021 at 9:54 PM

Inside CFT: UC-AFT lecturers win groundbreaking contract with UC

Victory for UC-AFT lecturers! After a marathon negotiating session that lasted from Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. until 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the UC-AFT lecturers union announced it had reached a tentative agreement with UC administration on the terms of a new five-year c…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

November 16, 2021 at 2:01 PM

Classified Insider | State salutes stellar staff – 20 months of COVID – equal layoff rights

Our work 20 months into the pandemic Staff working with homeless and formerly incarcerated students win statewide recognition The California Community Colleges has recognized two dynamic and talented CFT members in the Los Angeles area for their leadership, commitment, …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 12, 2021 at 11:04 PM

Inside CFT: ​Urge California’s congressional representatives to fund community schools

Urge California’s congressional representatives to fund community schools This year Governor Newsom and the California Legislature allocated $3 billion dollars to help expand existing community schools and establish new community schools. Now it is time for the federal gover…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 5, 2021 at 9:17 PM

Inside CFT: As world leaders address the climate crisis, CFT continues push for a green future

As world leaders address climate crisis in Glasgow, CFT continues push for a green future This week elected leaders and activists from around the world are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland for a global summit on addressing climate change. With the renewed global attention on t…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 29, 2021 at 8:55 PM

Inside CFT: Organizing for equity for part-time faculty

Organizing for equity for part-time faculty Part-time faculty from throughout the state hit the ground running this week with a series of events in recognition of Campus Equity Week. El Camino Federation of Teachers members (pictured above) took part in daily events, which inc…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

October 27, 2021 at 8:32 PM

Part-Timer | CFT sets sights on adjunct healthcare, AFT victory for loan forgiveness

Dignity and respect for part-time faculty during Campus Equity Week! COVID — Locals negotiate vaccine stipends and retention of health benefits, create hardship funds Adjuncts have been hit especially hard by the decline in student enrollment, limited support services,…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 22, 2021 at 10:00 PM

Inside CFT: Momentum growing as UC-AFT faculty take on UC in contract fight

Momentum growing as UC-AFT faculty take on UC in contract fight Last week nearly 2,000 UC teaching faculty, students, and supporters took part in a two-day rally across the state in support of UC-AFT negotiations with the University of California system. In the negotiations,…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 13, 2021 at 4:29 PM

Inside CFT: After years of campaigning, big changes to public service loan forgiveness

You may be eligible for public service loan forgiveness under new rules After years of pressure and lawsuits from AFT and other advocates, the Department of Education recently announced sweeping changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program that will make it e…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

October 6, 2021 at 1:02 PM

CFT United – FAQ for K-12 return to in-person | What about community colleges and UC?

ALL-UNION NEWS Back-to-School Tour puts staff shortage in stark perspective By Jeffery M. Freitas, CFT President We anticipated questions about safety, but everywhere we went we heard another refrain: There aren't enough staff — teachers, librarians, custodians, bus drive…

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