News Releases
RELEASE: CFT Educators and Classified School Workers Back Measure to Make Marriage Equality a Constitutional Right
Sacramento, CA — Today, CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced their support for ACA 5 to amend the California Constitution to protect the fundamental freedom to marry and remove unconstitutional and discriminatory language due to Proposition 8 (2008).
CFT Educators and Classified School Workers Say NO to Corporate Measure that Harms Schools and Attacks Voters, YES on ACA 13 to Protect Voter Rights
Sacramento, CA — Today, CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced positions on two November 2024 ballot measures.
The education union’s Executive Council voted to OPPOSE the California Business Roundtable (CBRT) measure misleadingly called the “Taxpayer Protection and Corporate Accountability Act.” The initiative was cooked up by representatives of the state’s biggest corporations like oil and gas companies and multi-billion dollar property developers and landlords looking to increase their profits.
Judge’s Ruling on Assault Weapons Endangers Students, Teachers, and School Workers
Sacramento, CA — In response to a federal judge striking down California’s assault rifle ban on Thursday, CFT released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas:
“In striking down California’s 34-year-old ban on semiautomatic guns, a federal judge has put California students, teachers, and school workers in harm’s way. Thirty-four years ago Columbine had not yet happened, and the horrific assault rifle-fueled mass shootings in schools, including Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Uvalde, were more than a decade away.
CFT Statement on 2023-2024 California State Budget
Sacramento, CA — CFT– A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas on the 2023-2024 state budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom today:
State Assembly Votes 77-0 to Approve Legislation to Raise Educator & School Worker Wages to Transform California’s Education System
Sacramento, CA — Yesterday the California State Assembly approved AB 938 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) with a bipartisan vote of 77-0. AB 938 would commit the state of California to raising funding for educator and school worker pay in all public schools by 50% over the next 7 years.
Landmark Legislation to Raise Educator & School Worker Wages to Transform California’s Education System Passes Key Committee
Sacramento, CA — The Assembly Committee on Education today approved CFT-sponsored AB 938 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) to raise educator and classified professional pay in all public schools by 50% over the next 7 years. The bill passed unanimously following a press conference where educators and classified professionals shared devastating stories of struggles educators are facing to do the work they love as the cost of living in California soars.
Assembly Higher Education Committee Approves CFT Proposal Repealing Punitive Approach to Students Repeating Courses
Sacramento, CA — CFT members and community college students applaud today’s vote on AB 811 (Fong) by the Assembly Higher Education Committee. The bill, sponsored by CFT, updates a harsh, punitive policy that prohibits students from repeating courses.
Jeff Freitas Re-Elected as President of CFT
Sacramento, CA — Yesterday, CFT Nominations and Elections Chair Joshua Briggs announced that delegates to the 2023 CFT Convention have re-elected President Jeffery Freitas and elected L. Lacy Barnes as Secretary Treasurer and Juan Ramirez as Executive Vice President. Delegates also voted to pass two landmark resolutions stating the Union’s demands for stronger gun control laws and condemning police violence while calling for meaningful reform.
CFT Applauds President Biden’s Appointment of Julie Su as U.S. Labor Secretary
Sacramento, CA — CFT released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas and Vice President Kent Wong:
CFT Responds to College Board Decision to Change African American Studies Curriculum
Sacramento, CA — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement in response to the College Board’s release of their new official curriculum:
“I’m dismayed that The College Board made the horrendous decision to effectively erase the contributions Black Americans have made and continue to make in our country in order to appease right-wing Republicans. That the Board chose the first day of Black History Month to announce this politically-driven policy shows how out of touch the Board is with mainstream America and any educational mission.
CFT Responds to the Release of Video Showing the Murder of Tyre Nichols at the Hands of Memphis Police
Sacramento, CA —
SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President L. Lacy Barnes released the following statement in response to the video released this evening showing the murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police:
“Tyre Nichols should be alive today.
“George Floyd should be alive today.
“Breonna Taylor should be alive today.
“Laquan McDonald should be alive today.
“Tamir Rice should be alive today.
“And sadly so many more.
CFT Commends Governor Newsom’s Commitment to Education Funding in January Budget Proposal
Sacramento, CA — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on Governor Newsom’s January budget proposal released today:
CFT statement on NAEP and Smarter Balanced test results
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress test scores and the California Smarter Balanced test scores today:
“The results of these tests show the profound impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our students’ lives and the pressing need to continue investing in our schools with a laser-like focus to help our students recover and thrive.
CFT statement on historic California state budget
CFT advocacy nets $200 million in state budget for part-time community college faculty healthcare
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the California state budget, which will be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom later today:
CFT leaders condemn Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
Sacramento, CA — Leaders of CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court decision today in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturning Roe v. Wade and ruling that there is no constitutional right to abortion.
From CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary-Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes:
Pasadena ArtCenter College of Design faculty vote to join CFT in NLRB election
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced today that the faculty of the ArtCenter College of Design have voted to join the union in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. The votes from the mail election were counted yesterday in Los Angeles, California, with over 60% of those participating voting in favor of the union.
CFT statement on the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement following the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas:
“Yesterday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, 19 children and two adults senselessly lost their lives to yet another of the horrific mass shootings that plague our country. They were gunned down while they were doing what millions of educators and students do every day: teaching and learning in a school where they should have been safe.
CFT statement on Governor Newsom’s updated budget proposal
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s updated budget proposal for the 2022-2023 fiscal year:
“Governor Newsom has proven yet again his commitment to public school students and workers in his revised budget proposal. For years we have called for substantial increases in the base funding for our K-14 schools and colleges, and with this budget Governor Newsom has taken an important step towards that goal.
CFT endorses Sharon Hendricks for re-election to the CalSTRS Teachers’ Retirement Board
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals is proud to announce our endorsement of Sharon Hendricks in her 2023 re-election campaign for the CalSTRS Teachers’ Retirement Board, where she serves as one of three elected members and represents community college instructors in her position. Hendricks was first elected in 2011 and is seeking her fourth term on the board. She is a communications studies faculty member at Los Angeles City College, and an officer in her union, AFT Local 1521.
Survey of California community college part-time faculty shows dire need to reform healthcare system
Part-time faculty in Sacramento today to urge Legislature to support Governor Newsom’s proposed $200 million to transform system
Sacramento, CA — A new survey of part-time California community college faculty shows the stark need to reform healthcare in California community colleges.