Jeff Freitas · [email protected]

June 23, 2023 at 8:06 PM

Inside CFT: Dolores Huerta, Lorena Gonzales, Tony Thurmond rally for ArtCenter faculty

Dolores Huerta, Lorena Gonzales, Tony Thurmond rally for ArtCenter faculty Faculty, students and dozens of allies rallied at ArtCenter’s south campus on Thursday June 22. ArtCenter Federation members displayed a petition for strike readiness with hundreds of member signature…

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  Jeff Freitas · [email protected]

June 16, 2023 at 9:07 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Toda…

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  Jeff Freitas · [email protected]

June 9, 2023 at 9:26 PM

Inside CFT: Healthcare victory at Lawndale for classified union

Healthcare victory at Lawndale For thirty years, the Lawndale Elementary School District denied their part time classified employees health benefits. In fact, the district’s previous superintendent would schedule these employees so that they were just fifteen minutes under …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 2, 2023 at 9:41 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrating Pride Month

CFT Celebrates Pride Month CFT is proud to join communities across the state and country celebrating Pride Month this year. The first Pride celebration took place on June 28, 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall uprising, when protests swept New York to resist police brutality …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 26, 2023 at 10:28 PM

Inside CFT: Two CFT members honored with classified employee of the year awards

Two CFT members honored with 2023 community college classified employee of the year awards This week, as we celebrated Classified School Employee Week, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors honored five classified professionals who provide outstanding service s…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 19, 2023 at 10:55 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrating Classified School Employee Week

Celebrating Classified School Employee Week Classified School Employee Week, which takes place May 21-27 this year, celebrates the support staff and paraprofessionals who help our early childhood centers, schools, and colleges succeed. Classified employees perform essential …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 12, 2023 at 10:54 PM

Inside CFT: Teacher Appreciation Week – Turning admiration into action

Teacher Appreciation Week – Turning admiration into action As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, CFT members throughout the state are being showered with gift cards, flowers, heartfelt drawings, and other expressions of appreciation from our students and families. …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 5, 2023 at 10:39 PM

Inside CFT: CFT members are organizing across the state for the pay and respect they deserve

Culver City teachers demand the pay and respect they deserve The Culver City Federation of Teachers are locked in contentious contract talks with their district over issues of compensation. Despite record funding from the state and high inflation, district negotiators initi…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 4, 2023 at 8:42 PM

Take Action! Urge lawmakers to increase funding for TK-12 salaries by 50%

Dear John, Staffing shortages in our public schools have reached a moment of crisis and we need our elected leaders in Sacramento to take action. Sign the petition: Urge CA lawmakers to support AB 938 CFT-sponsored AB 938 would increase funding for K-12 salaries by 50% over…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 28, 2023 at 10:49 PM

Inside CFT: Bill to increase funding for K-12 pay by 50% unanimously passes key committee

CFT members came to Sacramento this week to advocate for stronger support for public education We had a fantastic day in Sacramento on Wednesday, as over 100 CFT members from throughout the state came up to the State Capitol to urge lawmakers to support public schools in Cal…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 21, 2023 at 9:53 PM

Inside CFT: Addressing staffing shortages takes center stage

CFT-sponsored AB 938 would raise funding for TK-12 to support bargaining efforts to increase salaries by 50% Last week Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi introduced a bill in the state legislature with a goal to provide districts with increased funding for both certificated and cla…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 14, 2023 at 10:38 PM

Inside CFT: AFT 1521 in Los Angeles secures major healthcare settlement

AFT 1521 in Los Angeles secures major healthcare settlement Earlier today dozens of leaders and members from AFT Local 1521, the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild, were joined by officials from their college to announce a breakthrough agreement that secures affordable health…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

April 7, 2023 at 8:58 PM

Inside CFT: Voting for Democracy

Voting for Democracy While the 2022 mid-term election feels like just yesterday, the 2024 election is just around the corner and we know that education is on the table. From pay for educators and classified staff, to class sizes, to school vouchers – one side seeks to destroy…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 31, 2023 at 10:24 PM

Inside CFT: Randi Weingarten delivers major address in defense of public education

Randi Weingarten delivers major address in defense of public education This Tuesday, March 28, AFT President Randi Weingarten delivered a major address, titled “In Defense of Public Education.” In the address she enumerated the many threats against our public schools, which…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 24, 2023 at 9:00 PM

Inside CFT: 2023 CFT Biennial Convention a success

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 partici…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 10, 2023 at 11:49 PM

Inside CFT: CFT members speak out for their students and their jobs

Salinas teachers demand action from their district Last Saturday dozens of members of the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers, students, and supporters rallied in front of the Salinas Union High School District’s job fair. According to SVFT President Kati Bassler the rall…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 3, 2023 at 10:01 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrating Women’s History Month

Celebrating Women’s History Month Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the contributions women have made to our culture and society and reflect on women who have fought for change in labor, education, science, the arts, and politics. Originally …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 25, 2023 at 12:13 AM

Inside CFT: SF teachers and paras take a stand for the schools their students deserve

SF teachers and paras take a stand for the schools their students deserve Hundreds of members of the United Educators of San Francisco delivered more than 3,800 petition signatures to the San Francisco Board of Education on Tuesday in support of a contract bargaining platfo…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 17, 2023 at 11:07 PM

Inside CFT: National movement builds to address teacher pay crisis

National movement builds to address teacher pay crisis Earlier this week Senator Bernie Sanders joined AFT President Randi Weingarten, NEA President Becky Pringle, and fellow educators from throughout the country in a virtual town hall on addressing the educator staffing cris…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 10, 2023 at 11:44 PM

Inside CFT: CFT Leadership Conference a chance to enhance JEDI powers

CFT Leadership Conference a chance to enhance JEDI powers Last weekend nearly 150 CFT local leaders and activists gathered in Southern California to take part in the 2023 CFT Leadership Conference. The central focus of the conference was how educators and classified profess…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 3, 2023 at 10:01 PM

Inside CFT: CFT Celebrates Black History Month

CFT celebrates Black History Month As February gets underway, CFT joins communities across the country in celebrating Black History Month. This month is an opportunity to recognize the critical contributions African Americans have made to our country and our communities, and…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 27, 2023 at 10:58 PM

Inside CFT: CFT-sponsored wealth tax introduced in California Assembly

CFT-sponsored wealth tax introduced in California Assembly In a coordinated effort with seven other states, this week CFT President Jeff Freitas and Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San José) reintroduced a tax on extreme wealth in California as AB 259 and an accompanying proposed…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 20, 2023 at 11:06 PM

Inside CFT: Tell UC management to bargain in good faith with UCLA Lab School teachers

Tell UC management to bargain in good faith with UCLA Lab School teachers For over a year demonstration teachers at the UCLA Lab School have been fighting for their rights to negotiate about the aspects of their work that most impact their students. UC management refuses to …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 13, 2023 at 9:57 PM

Inside CFT: Governor’s budget proposal protects schools, but more still to be done

Governor’s budget proposal protects schools, but more still to be done On Tuesday Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his initial budget proposal for the upcoming 2023-2024 fiscal year. Although the state of California is facing a $22.5 billion budget gap for the upcoming year, pu…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 6, 2023 at 9:56 PM

Inside CFT: New year brings renewed focus on standing up for our work and our schools

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 th…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 16, 2022 at 8:21 PM

Inside CFT - Over 40,000 books given away at Reading Opens the World event in Pico Rivera

Over 40,000 books given away at Reading Opens the World event in Pico Rivera On Saturday, December 10 the El Rancho Federation of Teachers, with the support of AFT, CFT, and First Book, distributed over 40,000 books to the families of Pico Rivera. The event was part of a na…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 9, 2022 at 9:59 PM

Inside CFT: Organizing is the key to addressing teacher and staff shortages

Organizing is the key to addressing teacher and staff shortages A new report released this week by the Economic Policy Institute confirms what school communities across the state already know: there is a dire educator and school worker shortage which is severely impacting our…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 2, 2022 at 10:03 PM

Inside CFT: Next Tuesday - Online panel discussion on supporting LGBTQ+ communities

Next Tuesday: Online panel discussion on supporting LGBTQ+ communities All CFT members are invited to join our upcoming online panel discussion on supporting LGBTQ+ communities set for next Tuesday, December 6 from 4:00-5:15 p.m. Given the recent attacks on the LGBTQ+ comm…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 18, 2022 at 8:20 PM

Inside CFT: Solidarity with striking UC academic workers

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 …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 11, 2022 at 9:42 PM

Inside CFT: November election results show strong support for public schools

November election results show strong support for public schools As results from the November election continue to come into focus, what is clear is that voters across the state and nation have spoken up for public schools. At the national level voters throughout the count…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 4, 2022 at 7:58 PM

Inside CFT: Remember to cast your ballot and vote your values

Remember to cast your ballot and vote your values CFT members are reliable voters because we understand how important it is to vote for candidates and initiatives that support public education and working families. But once again the stakes are high in another pivotal elect…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

November 1, 2022 at 6:06 PM

Classified Insider – From "Aspiration to Action," AVERTing disaster, CFT due process bill becomes law

Summer Assistance program begins for community colleges, affordable staff housing Classified Conference moves attendees from Aspiration to Action "Everyone has ideas and plans, but how do we move from ideas to act…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 28, 2022 at 9:01 PM

Inside CFT: Thanks to all those who took part in Campus Equity Week

Thanks to all those who took part in Campus Equity Week Up and down the state CFT members were joined this week by students, elected officials, and supporters at events marking Campus Equity Week. Members attended fifteen events across the state, ranging from workshops to r…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 21, 2022 at 7:25 PM

Inside CFT: Campus Equity Week starts on Monday!

Campus Equity Week starts on Monday! Campus Equity Week is a national week of action, education, and activism that draws attention to the working conditions of faculty working on temporary, low-paid contracts, who now constitute the majority of college instructors. This ye…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

October 18, 2022 at 6:56 PM

Part-Timer | Bargaining for healthcare ramps up, Campus Equity Week, call for national study of higher ed faculty

Materials for Campus Equity Week, how UC-AFT won in tumultuous times, CFT Voter Guide for Nov 8 Local bargaining for part-time faculty healthcare ramps up After winning an unprecedented $200 million for part-time …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 14, 2022 at 9:09 PM

Inside CFT: Apply to Public Service Loan Forgiveness before Oct. 31

Why it is critical that you apply for PSLF before Oct. 31 The AFT settled a landmark court case last October that set in motion significant, but temporary, changes to the eligibility requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Since that time, hundreds of AFT members …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 7, 2022 at 8:55 PM

Inside CFT: Ballots for the November election will arrive in the mail soon

Ballots for the November election will arrive in the mail soon Ballots for the November 8, 2022 election will arrive in the mail this coming week across California. And once again we have the opportunity to vote for candidates and measures that support our schools and Califo…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 4, 2022 at 11:00 PM

Help needed for victims of natural disasters

Dear John, Please consider donating to the CFT Disaster Relief Fund to provide support to AFT members and communities directly impacted by recent natural disasters. In the past we have used this fund to help CFT members who are victims of wildfires and other natural disasters…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 30, 2022 at 8:58 PM

Inside CFT: Governor signs budget bill with critical language expanding healthcare for part-time faculty

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…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

September 27, 2022 at 9:01 PM

CFT United – Stemming the staff shortage, your vote matters Nov. 8

College students want in-person interaction, UC-AFT retrospective All-Union News Bay Area union helps win innovative educator housing, easing shortage AFT Local 1481 is pro…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 23, 2022 at 8:33 PM

Inside CFT: Back to school tour wraps up with visits to community schools in Los Angeles

CFT Back to School tour wraps up with visits to community schools in Los Angeles The CFT back to school tour concluded this week with fantastic visits to three community schools staffed by UTLA members in Los Angeles, including Mendez High School, Audubon Middle School, and …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 16, 2022 at 8:33 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

CFT resources to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year to recognize and celebrate the contributions, diverse cultures, and histories of the American Latino community. Acknowledging these contributions be…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 9, 2022 at 8:43 PM

Inside CFT: Repeal WEP and GPO – stop penalizing teachers and public employees

Repeal WEP and GPO – stop penalizing teachers and public employees Everyone deserves a secure retirement, especially those who devoted their career to public service. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) threatens that by substantially …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 2, 2022 at 10:23 PM

Inside CFT: Campaign for part-time faculty healthcare notches another victory

Legislature delivers for part-time faculty healthcare as coordinated local organizing campaign kicks off After a summer of continued CFT advocacy, this week the California Legislature passed a budget trailer bill that included critical language – including every component o…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

August 26, 2022 at 8:55 PM

Inside CFT: Take action today for Public Service Loan forgiveness

Take action today for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Following months of advocacy by the AFT and others across the country, this week the Biden administration announced it intends to cancel $10,000 of federal student debt for individuals who earn less than $125,000 a year ($…

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  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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