News Releases

News Release

CFT urges UC Regents to reject controversial policy that restricts healthcare services for women, LGBTQ+ community
UC regents set to vote Wednesday, June 23 on whether to keep problematic contracts

For Immediate Release
June 22, 2021
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA —  In an open letter sent today, CFT President Jeff Freitas urged the UC Board of Regents and UC President Michael Drake to drop discriminatory practices that unfairly restrict healthcare services to women and the LGBTQ+ community. 

News Release

CFT Lauds Equity-Centered TK-12 Education Plan Announced by Governor Newsom

For Immediate Release
May 12, 2021
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today CFT– A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas on proposed TK-12 education investments in Governor Newsom’s “Comeback Plan:” 

“The announcement today by Governor Newsom represents a bold step forward for our public schools and will be critical to ensure that our students have an opportunity to recover and thrive as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

News Release

CFT calls for immediately shutting down failed Calbright College following scathing State Auditor report
Report follows UNANIMOUS vote in California Assembly last week to eliminate the college

For Immediate Release
May 11, 2021
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, the California State Auditor released a scathing report, detailing the many failures of Calbright, the state’s troubled online-only college. The report details low student graduation rates, questionable hiring practices, lack of accountability, lack of student support, and failure to reach milestones set by the California Legislature.

News Release

California teachers and classified professionals emphatically oppose recall of Governor Newsom
CFT Executive Council votes unanimously to oppose recall

CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA — CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced today that they will emphatically oppose the recall campaign of Governor Gavin Newsom. The announcement comes after a unanimous vote of the CFT Executive Council. 

CFT President Jeff Freitas blasted the recall campaign as being out of touch with California values and an expensive waste of time: 

News Release

Guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin a step toward a more just future

For Immediate Release
CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals
Contact: Matthew Hardy – mhardy@cft.org.

CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes released the following statement after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder in the death of George Floyd:

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: