News Releases
CFT calls for four week halt to all in-person K-12 instruction in California
Skyrocketing prevalence of virus in communities creates unacceptable risk, teachers and school staff say
Union urges all Californians, including educators and school staff, to take vaccine when offered
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291
“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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
CFT and UC-AFT leaders congratulate Michael V. Drake on his historic hiring as the new UC President
For immediate release
California Federation of Teachers & UC-AFT
Contact: Matthew Hardy (CFT) – 510-703-5291, Crystal Chang (UC-AFT) – 415-961-7962
CFT President Jeff Freitas and UC-AFT President Mia McIver released the following statement on the historic hiring of Michael V. Drake, M.D., as the next President of the University of California:
CFT urges Governor Newsom to delay physically reopening schools
Surging coronavirus cases and testing woes make opening safely all but impossible throughout much of state
For Immediate Release
California Federation of Teachers
Contact: Matthew Hardy – 510-703-5291
Teachers and school workers urge Governor Newsom to provide stronger direction to counties and school districts and expanded support
CFT Demands Progressive, Substantial, Equitable Revenue to Protect CA Schools
New research brief contrasts extreme wealth in CA with growing inequality during pandemic
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy,
510-703-5291
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.
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.
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.
Educators, Classified Personnel, Parents & Administrators Call for June Solution to the Budget Shortfall to Ensure Schools Safely Open This Fall
Group Says Schools Cannot Physically Reopen Safely with Funding Level Proposed in the May Revision
Sent as the Education Coalition
CONTACT: Matthew Hardy at mhardy@cft.org
SACRAMENTO – Today, the Education Coalition, comprised of the nine statewide K-12 education associations that work closely to advocate for the six million students in California’s public schools and colleges, urged California’s lawmakers to adopt a funding solution to the COVID-19-related budget crisis in the June budget. The group said that without adequate funding, schools cannot open on time safely.
CFT statement on Governor Newsom’s May Revise budget proposal
Proposed 10% cut to K-12 schools, community colleges, and UC will hurt students and threaten economic recovery
Last updated May 15, 2019
Sacramento, CA — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s ‘May Revise’ budget announcement today, which included a proposed 10% cut to K-12 schools, community colleges, and UC:
CFT President Jeff Freitas responds to projected $54 billion California budget deficit
Calls on federal government to invest in California’s kids by passing $1 trillion federal stimulus bill
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy – 510-703-5291
Sacramento, CA — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement in response to the devastating budget deficit projected by the California Department of Finance this morning, which includes a potential $18 billion cut to K-12 schools and community colleges:
CFT urges President Trump to fully utilize the Defense Production Act to address the COVID-19 pandemic
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy – 510-703-5291
On Saturday, April 25, the CFT Executive Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the President to fully utilize the Defense Production Act (“DPA”) to obtain the PPE, medical supplies, and diagnostic testing supplies needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
According to CFT President Jeff Freitas, it is past time for the President to fully invoke and utilize the DPA.
California Federation of Teachers Applauds Governor Newsom’s Steadfast Commitment to Public Education in January Budget
Teachers and School Workers Highlight Need for Long Term Funding Solutions Found in Schools and Communities First Initiative
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy 510-703-5291
Sacramento, CA — The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) released the following statement from CFT President Jeff Freitas, following the release of Governor Newsom’s January budget proposal for 2020-2021:
Educator Unions Stand Together Deeply Saddened by Another Tragic School Shooting and Deaths
Leaders Demand an End to Gun Violence and Quick Action by Lawmakers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Matthew Hardy for CFT, 510-703-5291; Claudia Briggs for CTA, 916-325-1550; Oriana Korin for AFT, 202-374-6103; and Celeste Busser Fernandez for NEA, 202-262-0589
SACRAMENTO, CA—Four state and national education union leaders issued the following statement in the wake of the early morning shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California that has already claimed the lives of two students and critically wounded others.
California Federation of Teachers Stands with Striking UAW-GM Workers
Statement from CFT President Jeff Freitas on UAW’s strike against General Motors
For Immediate Release
California Federation of Teachers
Contact: Matthew Hardy – 510-703-5291
Jeff Freitas, President of the California Federation of Teachers, released the following statement of support for the 50,000 UAW members striking at GM facilities across the country. The strike began at midnight on September 16 when their contract expired.