Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

March 7, 2025 at 10:06 PM

Inside CFT: Over 1,000 CFT members take part in March 4 day of action

CFT members from across the state turn out for successful March 4 day of action Thanks to the over 1,000 CFT members and allies from across the state who took part in the March 4 Day of Action for public education. The cornerstone of the day was the second annual March in Ma…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 28, 2025 at 10:26 PM

Inside CFT: Staying the course and fighting for what is right

Stay calm, stay the course, and continue to fight for what is right CFT President Jeff Freitas is out with a new Up Front article this week, urging CFT members to stay calm and stay the course. “These are scary times, and this administration is relying on the time-tested au…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 21, 2025 at 10:04 PM

Inside CFT: Join the March 4 Day of Action to Protect Public Education

Join the March 4 Day of Action to Protect Public Education On Tuesday, March 4, educators, students, parents and community allies will stand up against assaults on public education and on opportunity for America’s youth during a national day of action. Together we are callin…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 20, 2025 at 12:59 AM

Action Alert: Urge CA's senators to reject Linda McMahon as US Secretary of Education

Dear John, Our senators need to know we will not remain silent as the president threatens our schools, tries to eliminate the Department of Education, and attempts to break the law to cut billions of our dollars allocated to California's students and schools. Sign the CFT le…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM

Inside CFT: Hundreds brave the rain in We Can’t Wait rallies this week

Hundreds brave the rain in We Can’t Wait rallies this week On Tuesday hundreds of educators from throughout the Bay Area and across the state took part in launching the We Can’t Wait campaign with a series of rallies and actions. The day started in San Francisco where member…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

February 4, 2025 at 8:43 PM

Urgent CFT town hall on Wed. at 5 pm with SPI Tony Thurmond

Dear John, This Wednesday, February 5 from 5:00–6:30 p.m. we will host an important town hall for all CFT members to discuss how we, as a union, are organizing to fight back against the confusing and alarming actions of the second Trump administration. The town hall will fea…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 31, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Inside CFT: Urgent CFT town hall Feb. 5 – Update on critical national and state issues

Urgent CFT town hall on Feb. 5 – Update on critical national and state issues CFT will host a town hall for all CFT members on Wednesday, February 5 from 5:00–6:30 p.m. when we will discuss how we, as a union, can organize to fight back against the shocking and chaotic actio…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

January 29, 2025 at 12:00 AM

Classified Insider Winter Edition

The theme of the 2024 Council of Classified Employees conference was Classified Standing Strong: Yesterday, Today, and Always. That sentiment ran throughout the weekend in Costa Mesa, where along with exploring their creativity, joking, and connecting with one another, attend…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM

Inside CFT: CFT leaders connect with those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles

CFT leaders connect with those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles As more fires continue to burn in the Los Angeles area, CFT leaders were in Southern California yesterday to meet with victims of the fires and local leaders, and to begin the process of delivering CFT Disas…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 17, 2025 at 11:11 PM

Inside CFT: Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Every year we observe Martin Luther King Day to reflect on the work that still needs to be done for racial equality. We also remember the vision that Dr. King carried in seeing the connection between achieving racial equality and suppo…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 15, 2025 at 12:47 AM

Trauma counseling for CFT members impacted by the LA fires

Trauma counseling for CFT members impacted by the LA fires At last count over 200 CFT members have suffered damaged or lost homes from the LA fires, with many more having been forced to evacuate alongside tens of thousands of others in the community. For those CFT members wh…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

January 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Inside CFT: Dozens of CFT members have lost their homes in Los Angeles area fires

Dozens of CFT members have tragically lost their homes in Los Angeles area fires Our hearts go out to all those who have been devastated by the fires in the Los Angeles area. This week we have reached out to thousands of CFT members impacted by the fires. While hundreds have …

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  Jeff Freitas · [email protected]

January 9, 2025 at 1:54 AM

Southern CA Wildfires - Stay safe

So many of our CFT families and communities are facing unimaginable losses, and even more are facing disruptions to their daily lives: evacuations, lost power and closed campuses. Unfortunately, we have had a few members lose their homes. Dear John, Our hearts go out to all …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 24, 2024 at 8:03 PM

Happy Holidays from CFT!

Dear John, Happy holidays from CFT! We hope that you, your family, and loved ones have a happy and joyful holiday season. We are grateful for the incredible work you and your fellow educators and classified professionals do every day for our students and our communities. And w…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 23, 2024 at 10:32 PM

Social Security Fairness Act passes the US Senate! Quick FAQ

Dear John, Just after midnight on Saturday (EST), the U.S. Senate took a historic step in finally correcting a mistake from 1983 by passing the Social Security Fairness Act! President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law soon but there is no formal announcement yet. W…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 20, 2024 at 11:03 PM

Inside CFT: Social Security Fairness Act on cusp of passing on the Senate floor

Social Security Fairness Act on cusp of passing on the Senate floor As we hit send on today’s email, the US Senate is poised to vote on the Social Security Fairness Act. If enacted into law, the critical bill would repeal the WEP/GPO penalties that unfairly take hard-earned S…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 13, 2024 at 10:05 PM

Inside CFT: Progress on Social Security Fairness Act

Senator Schumer pledges to bring up Social Security Fairness Act for a vote in the US Senate During a rainy rally co-sponsored by AFT this Wednesday in Washington, D.C., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to bring the Social Security Fairness Act up for a vote in t…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

December 6, 2024 at 10:16 PM

Inside CFT: CFT Division Councils are in action building the union this week

CFT Division Councils are in action building the union this week This week local CFT presidents and leaders from throughout the state are gathering in Sacramento for the annual EC/TK-12 Council presidents retreat. The retreat this year is focused on teacher recruitment and r…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 22, 2024 at 10:03 PM

Inside CFT: Time for the Senate to pass the Social Security Fairness Act

Now it’s the US Senate’s turn to pass the Social Security Fairness Act On Tuesday, November 12, the House of Representatives passed the Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 327-75. HR 82 would repeal the WEP/GPO penalties that substanti…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 15, 2024 at 10:03 PM

Inside CFT: Remembering former UESF President Dennis Kelly

Remembering former UESF President Dennis Kelly We are very saddened to report the passing of CFT Council of Retired Members President and former UESF president Dennis Kelly. In addition to being one of the founding leaders of UESF, Dennis was a stalwart member and leader of …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 11, 2024 at 7:20 PM

Action Alert: 24 hours to pass H.R. 82 to repeal the WEP/GPO penalty

Dear John, I am coming to you today with an urgent and extremely time-sensitive request. On Tuesday, November 12, the U.S. Congress will vote on H.R. 82, a bill that would overturn the WEP/GPO (windfall elimination provision and government pension offset) penalties that subs…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 8, 2024 at 11:05 PM

Inside CFT: Going on offense to protect our schools

Going on offense to protect our schools On Wednesday CFT President Jeff Freitas sent a letter to CFT members recognizing the complicated emotions many are having following the results of the election. He also provided assurances that, “as unionists and as educators we will c…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 6, 2024 at 10:23 PM

On last night's election results

Dear John, Many of you are back on campus today after the national election yesterday. First of all, thank you for voting and for all that you did to advocate for candidates and issues up and down the ballot. I am so proud of the work that so many CFT members have done during…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

November 1, 2024 at 9:00 PM

Inside CFT: Voting our values and fighting for our future

Voting our values and fighting for our future A message from CFT President Jeff Freitas Dear John, There is no denying that the final stretch of the election has reached a fever pitch. Donald Trump and his allies have been putting on a full display of racism, xenophobia, b…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 25, 2024 at 9:04 PM

Inside CFT: CFT members are doing the hard work to win this election

CFT members are doing the hard work to win this election A shout out to all of the CFT members across the state who are taking a stand for our schools and our democracy by volunteering for the election. In every corner of the state CFT members are precinct walking and phone …

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  CFT Newsroom via ActionNetwork.org · [email protected]

October 24, 2024 at 9:39 PM

CFT United: CFT Retirees are Powering GOTV Efforts Across California

This issue of CFT United highlights the tenacity and motivation our members are bringing to the phone banks, to knocking on doors, and to supporting candidates that put our best interests first. A note from the editor: It is fair to say that we are all on the edge of our seats…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 18, 2024 at 9:00 PM

Inside CFT: Faculty leader from OC hits the ground in Wisconsin for Harris/Walz

Coast Federation of Educators president hits the ground in Wisconsin in support of Harris/Walz Coast Federation of Educators president Rob Schneiderman is on the ground in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (pictured above). He’s there as a volunteer as a part of AFT’s two-week battlegrou…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 11, 2024 at 10:16 PM

Inside CFT: Welcome to CFT’s newest retiree local

Welcome to CFT’s newest retiree local: Palomar College Council of Classified Employees, AFT Local 4522-R Congratulations to those who helped organize the first ever retiree local with the Palomar Council of Classified Employees. The new local was chartered on October 1, and …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

October 4, 2024 at 9:23 PM

Inside CFT: Ballots mailed next week as November election campaign hits full swing

Ballots mailed next week as November election campaign hits full swing With so much at stake this November election, it is more important than ever for educators and classified professionals to stand up for our schools and our communities. At every level of government, from…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 27, 2024 at 9:04 PM

Inside CFT: Higher ed unions release Statement of Unity for the Future of Higher Education

Higher education unions release Statement of Unity for the Future of Higher Education On September 16, eleven union organizations representing hundreds of thousands of faculty and staff at colleges and universities across the country presented a vision of higher education fo…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 20, 2024 at 9:14 PM

Inside CFT: AFT National Bus Tour stops in California

AFT Get-Out-The-Vote Bus Tour stops in L.A., Orange County, and Fresno The AFT launched a national Get-Out-the-Vote bus tour on September 2 with a large Labor Day rally with Vice President Kamala Harris. This week the bus came to California, with stops in Los Angeles, Orange…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 13, 2024 at 9:14 PM

Inside CFT: CFT members inspire as Back to School Tour wraps up

CFT members inspire as Back to School Tour wraps up The main part of the CFT Back to School Tour wrapped up this week with another set of stellar visits throughout the state. Stops this week included Santa Cruz, where CFT leaders got to meet with both certificated and class…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

September 6, 2024 at 9:01 PM

Inside CFT: Oxnard union hosts inaugural Gold Coast Ethnic Studies Conference

Oxnard union hosts inaugural Gold Coast Ethnic Studies Conference Earlier this month the Oxnard Federation of Teachers and School Employees, AFT Local 1273, hosted the inaugural regional Gold Coast Ethnic Studies Conference in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Ed…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

August 30, 2024 at 8:58 PM

Inside CFT: SVFT and new labor coalition fight for affordable healthcare in Monterey County

SVFT and new labor coalition fight for affordable healthcare in Monterey County In their ongoing campaign to lower healthcare costs in Monterey County, the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1020, have joined a powerful new labor coalition and together they are…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

August 29, 2024 at 8:57 PM

Action Alert: Equal access to campus job opportunities for students regardless of immigration status

Urge Governor Newsom to sign AB 2586 – Equal access to campus job opportunities for students regardless of immigration status Dear John, Please take a moment to sign this letter to Governor Newsom, urging him to sign AB 2586 into law. AB 2586, also known as the Opportunity fo…

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  Jeff Freitas · [email protected]

August 23, 2024 at 9:23 PM

Inside CFT: Pajaro Middle School reopens after historic flooding, CFT at the DNC, Back to school and more

Good news comes in Pajaro Valley as Pajaro Middle School reopens after 1.5 years of closure due to flood damage Pajaro Valley Middle School reopens after historic flooding Good news comes in Pajaro Valley as Pajaro Middle School reopens after 1.5 years of closure due to flo…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

August 16, 2024 at 9:02 PM

Inside CFT: As election season heats up, AFT launches volunteer platform

As election season heats up, AFT launches volunteer platform With the selection of former teacher, and AFT member, Tim Walz as her running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris has once again shown her firm commitment to public education and working people. And now, with enth…

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  Jeff Freitas · [email protected]

August 9, 2024 at 9:25 PM

Inside CFT: ​CFT moves to new building in Sacramento

The new address, 1225 H Street, comes with its own stand-alone building, tons of new office and meeting space, and a new chapter in CFT’s standing in the capital city. CFT moves to new building in Sacramento The new CFT Sacramento office is open for business! The new address,…

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  Jeff Freitas · [email protected]

August 2, 2024 at 8:19 PM

Inside CFT: AFT 1493 secures health coverage for part-timers

After two years of tenacious organizing and pushing their employer, members of AFT 1493 at the San Mateo Community College District have settled an MOU that includes full health coverage for eligible part-timers. AFT 1493 secures health coverage for part-timers After two yea…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

July 31, 2024 at 8:07 PM

Part Timer, Summer 2024: One Tier, Contract Wins and Better Health Coverage

After a long and challenging two-year campaign, Yuba College Federation of Teachers, a part-time only local, secured full time equivalent coverage for faculty working over 40% of a full-time load Part-Timer promotes the interests of part-time faculty working in the California …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 26, 2024 at 9:04 PM

Inside CFT: Vice President Kamala Harris inspires at the AFT Convention

Vice President Kamala Harris inspires at the AFT Convention Yesterday at the AFT Convention in Houston, delegates heard inspiring words directly from Vice President Kamala Harris in one of her first campaign events as she seeks the Democratic Party nomination for president. …

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 21, 2024 at 9:05 PM

A thank you to President Biden

Dear John, As you have no doubt heard, President Biden announced today that he will no longer seek re-election to the presidency of the United States this November. He has endorsed his Vice President, California’s own Kamala Harris. The president’s decision to not seek re-el…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 19, 2024 at 9:02 PM

Inside CFT: CFT President Jeff Freitas elected to leadership position at CA Labor Federation

CFT President Jeff Freitas elected to leadership position at the California Labor Federation This week at the biennial California Labor Federation convention in San Diego, CFT President Jeff Freitas was elected to serve in the newly-created role of Secretary Treasurer, the nu…

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  CFT Newsroom · [email protected]

July 19, 2024 at 1:00 AM

Classified Insider: The Classified Day of Action motivates and mobilizes

On May 21 hundreds of CFT members gathered outside of the Sacramento Capitol to celebrate and honor the work of classified professionals. The crowd was filled with excitement, pride, and a sense of readiness. The Classified Day of Action motivates and mobilizes On May 21 hundr…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

July 12, 2024 at 10:18 PM

Inside CFT: Sunol voters set to recall two school board members

Promising returns as Sunol recall election to be certified next week Earlier this month voters in Sunol took part in a recall election for two school board members in the small Bay Area town. Over the course of the last year the board members acted in an overtly partisan mann…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 28, 2024 at 9:14 PM

Inside CFT: Building the Union at CFT Summer School

Building the Union at CFT Summer School This week over 120 union leaders, activists, trainers, and guests took part in the annual CFT Summer School. Held this year at the Asilomar campus in Pacific Grove, the week-long intensive training was an opportunity for new and vetera…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 21, 2024 at 9:02 PM

Inside CFT: Taxpayer Deception Act off the November ballot

California Supreme Court removes Taxpayer Deception Act from November ballot Yesterday the California Supreme Court handed down some excellent news. In a unanimous decision the court ruled that the Taxpayer Deception Act cannot appear on the November 2024 ballot. The initiati…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 14, 2024 at 9:01 PM

Inside CFT: Remembering civil rights icon Reverend James Lawson, Jr.

Remembering civil rights icon Reverend James Lawson, Jr. We are very sorry to report the passing of civil rights leader Reverend James Lawson, Jr., a lifelong advocate of the philosophy of nonviolence and a former CFT member. Rev. Lawson dedicated his life to advancing nonv…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

June 7, 2024 at 9:25 PM

Inside CFT: Part-time faculty in Yuba win a historic contract

Part-time faculty in Yuba win a historic contract After months of organizing, this week the Yuba College Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 4952, overwhelmingly voted to approve a historic contract settlement that includes significant victories in terms of pay parity and heal…

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  Jeffery Freitas · [email protected]

May 31, 2024 at 9:30 PM

Inside CFT: Berkeley teacher recognized with prestigious science award

Berkeley teacher recognized with prestigious science award Earlier this month State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored three outstanding math and science teachers from California who are finalists for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mat…

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