FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals

Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

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SACRAMENTO, CA – Last night, educators from Seneca Nonpublic Schools, which serve many of the highest needs students in the Bay Area, voted overwhelmingly to join CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals. The vote, certified by the National Labor Relations Board, was an overwhelming 86%.

Seneca Nonpublic Schools serve students with significant mental health and behavioral health needs who are referred by area school districts to receive therapeutic and academic services.

The 93 teachers, therapists, mental health counselors, quality assurance specialists/program assistants, and other education professionals across five campuses in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, have come together over their shared commitment to the students they serve.

Critical issues identified by staff that they will address in their first contract negotiations include adequate staffing to ensure safety and full support for students, a voice in decision-making on critical issues that impact students and their success, and addressing issues of staff retention, including protecting healthcare benefits.

“Our coworkers have made it undeniably clear: it’s time for those of us who are with our students day in and day out to have a seat at the decision making table,” said Julie Shea, Mental Health Counselor at Maya Angelou Academy. “We look forward to negotiating a contract with Seneca leadership that reflects our joint commitment to our students by improving and protecting the wages, benefits, and working conditions we need to better serve them.”

“Seneca educators are courageous and committed advocates for their students, and CFT will stand hand in hand with them as they run a successful campaign to negotiate their first contract and strengthen their union and the labor movement,” said CFT President Jeff Freitas.

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CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals represents 120,000 teachers, faculty, and school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education. It is the statewide affiliate of the AFT. More information at www.cft.org.