Custodial and Skilled Trades Conference
First-ever CFT professional issues conference for trades workers in the classified service

Event Council of Classified Employees
Custodial & Skilled Trades Conference

Event day is nearing! Here’s what attendees need to know…

The Council of Classified Employees is hosting its first-ever Custodial and Skilled Trades Conference at Compton College in hopes of building a professional development community in local unions throughout the state.

This one-day event is geared toward the important work that tradespeople do on campus and how they fit into an education union. All maintenance, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, custodial, locksmiths, groundskeepers, and other trades job classifications, are welcome to attend.

There will be workshops on topics such as working with chemicals safely and protecting workers from climate-related hazards. The day will include a continental breakfast, lunch, and in CCE style, the conference will close with a raffle.

    Schedule

    7:30 am  Registration and COVID Testing Open

    8:30 am  Continental Breakfast

    9 am  Opening General Session

    10 am  Workshops

    11:30 am  Lunch General Session

    12:15 pm  Group Photo

    12:30 pm  Workshops

    1:45 pm  Closing Session

    2 pm  Adjourn

    Workshops

    Working with Chemicals Safely
    The purpose of the chemical safety training is to explain the information presented to workers through labels and safety data sheets, and to apply this information in their workplace. In this training we will discuss actions to be taken to avoid or minimize exposure of hazardous chemicals and cleaning products. We will also discuss your employer’s responsibility under the law to protect you from hazardous chemicals and cleaning products. This training provides a forum for workers to share their health and safety concerns, and to obtain answers from AFT’s occupational health and safety professionals on protecting yourself from exposure. 

    Protecting School & College Employees from Climate-Related Hazards
    Schools and colleges across California are dealing with more intense heat waves and air quality issues related to wildfires, with often direct impacts on the safety and well-being of employees. This workshop will describe the health risks of extreme heat and wildfire smoke to workers, and will examine relevant Cal/OSHA standards designed to protect workers from these hazards. The discussion will consider strategies to be sure that employers take proper steps to adequately protect workers as extreme climate events become more common. 

    Active Shooter Preparedness & Response
    Active shooter incidents are often unpredictable and evolve quickly. During the chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident. This workshop aims to enhance preparedness through a whole community approach by providing tools, and resources to help you prepare for and respond to an active shooter incident.

    Effective Communications in Our Worksites
    Communication is a skill that we all use and build every day. Sometimes we say too much or not enough and we experience frustration and confusion when our message isn’t received and acted upon as intended. When this happens repeatedly, our workplace becomes a more challenging place than it needs to be. Join us in this workshop to look at ways that we can strengthen our own communication and respond in contentious points.

    Getting There

    BY AIRPLANE

    • If you will be flying, the closest major airport is Los Angeles International (LAX). If you are flying from Oakland, San Jose or Sacramento, you may also choose to fly into Long Beach Airport (LGB), although the flight options are more limited. 
    • Compton College is about about 18 miles from LAX and about 10 miles from LGB.
    • Taxis and rideshare are available from the airports.

    BY CAR

    COVID Safety Protocols

    CFT’s COVID safety protocols will be in place during the conference.

    • Attendees will be required to upload proof of vaccination in advance of the conference. A booster is recommended. Attendees will receive an email from CFT with upload instructions.
    • If you have already uploaded your vaccination card to CFT, you will not be required to do so again.
    • Rapid antigen COVID tests will be administered on-site. Please allow an additional 20 minutes upon arrival to the registration area to complete the test.
    • Masks must be worn at all times unless actively eating or drinking.

    Accommodations

    If you need accommodations on Friday night, the CCE has compiled a list of nearby hotels. Please make reservations directly with the hotel (the CFT has not reserved a block of rooms). The hotel’s distance from Compton College is shown in parenthesis. 

    UNION HOTELS

    Crystal Park Casino Hotel (1.4 miles)
    123 E Artesia Blvd, Carson
    310-764-2008

    Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach (10 miles)
    285 Bay Street
    Long Beach, CA 90802-8161
    562-432-1234

    Hotel Maya (12 miles)
    700 Queensway Dr.
    Long Beach, CA 90802
    562-435-7676

    Another nearby hotel, but not union:

    Hampton Inn (5 miles)
    767 E. Albertoni Street
    Carson, CA
    310-768-8833