News Releases

News Release

CFT responds to updated CDPH and CDC distancing guidelines

California Federation of Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA — CFT President Jeff Freitas issued the following statement following the announcements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health altering physical distancing guidelines for school classrooms:

News Release

CFT Applauds Approval of Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum
In wake of racist violence, educators and school staff say educational system has powerful role in defeating hate 

California Federation of Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA — Following the State Board of Education’s approval of the first statewide K-12 ethnic studies plan, CFT President Jeff Freitas issued the following statement:

“A state adopted, educational framework aimed at confronting racism and hate is long overdue. CFT’s teachers and classified staff applaud California’s adoption of an ethnic studies plan that counters systemic, ingrained racism too often reinforced at a very young age. 

News Release

CFT leaders decry hate, stand in solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

For Immediate Release
California Federation of Teachers
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas and CFT Vice President Arlene Inouye released the following statement in response to the ongoing violence and racism against Asian Americans, including the killings of eight people this week, six of whom were Asian women, in Northern Georgia:

Jeff Freitas said:

News Release

“Safe Schools for All Plan” is a Starting Point for Safe Reopening Decisions that Include Educators, Staff, Parents and Students

For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

Sacramento, CA — The California Federation of Teachers released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas on “California’s Safe Schools for All Plan” announced today by Governor Gavin Newsom, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond: 

News Release

California Federation of Teachers urges school districts to return to or stay in distance learning as COVID cases surge throughout the state and country

For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy – 510-703-5291

Sacramento, CA — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement in response to 94% of California’s population being moved into the most restrictive purple tier:

“Governor Newsom’s announcement yesterday that 94% of California’s population is now in the most restrictive tier is a wake up call for California’s schools. The more restrictive designation is a recognition of surging cases throughout the state, and will ultimately save countless lives. 

News Release

CFT makes commitment to defend American democracy

California Federation of Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA –  The California Federation of Teachers’ Executive Council unanimously passed a resolution yesterday outlining the union’s principles to defend American democracy, including the exercise of the right to vote and the requirement to count every vote, in light of ongoing threats by President Trump and his allies.

News Release

CFT Thanks Governor Newsom for Endorsing Proposition 15 – the Schools and Communities First Initiative 

California Federation of Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA — California Federation of Teachers (CFT) President Jeff Freitas released the following statement following Governor Newsom’s endorsement of Prop. 15, which would reclaim $12 billion annually for California schools and communities by closing corporate property tax loopholes:

News Release

Statement on police shooting of Jacob Blake and the harassment of California teacher supporting Black Lives Matter at School

California Federation of Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today CFT issued the following statement from President Jeff Freitas:

“Educators and classified professionals will not be silent in the face of racism, brutality, and the murder of Black lives by the police who are supposed to protect them. 

News Release

CFT statement on Supreme Court DACA decision

For Immediate Release
California Federation of Teachers
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement after the Supreme Court’s decision today rejecting the Trump administration’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. 

News Release

CFT Commits to Black Lives Matter Movement 
Resolution passed by CFT Executive Council on June 17, 2020

For Immediate Release
California Federation of Teachers
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA –  In its first executive council action since the murder of George Floyd, yesterday the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) unanimously approved a resolution that condemns systemic racism and and ardently states that ALL Black Lives Matter. In the resolution, the union also urgently called for fundamental change to the nature of policing in California. 

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CFT statement on the killing of George Floyd: A call for racial justice

For immediate release.
Contact: Matthew Hardy – mhardy@cft.org

The murder of George Floyd by a police officer was an unspeakable act of violence, and our communities across the country are responding to his murder with understandable grief and rage.

But we know this is not an isolated incident. Black communities, especially men, are exhausted and terrified because of the omnipresent structural and institutional racism they experience every day that often leads to violence against them.