News Releases

News Release

Statement on the CA Senate and Assembly budget proposal
From CFT President Jeff Freitas

Statement on the California Senate and Assembly budget proposal

As the Trump administration continues its assault on the University of California, legislative budget leaders are standing strong in support of our nation’s premiere higher education system, rejecting the proposed 3% budget cuts to the UC system. We will continue to work with the Legislature to ensure these critical state funds are spent to benefit students.

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CFT Responds to Trump’s Attacks on Public School Students in California

SACRAMENTO, CA – Following the Trump administration’s announcement today of an investigation into the California Department of Education for alleged violations of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA), a move that threatens billions of dollars in funding for California’s classrooms, CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement from President Jeff Frei

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California Educators Celebrate US Senate’s Vote to Pass the Social Security Fairness Act

December 20, 2024

For Immediate Release

Contact: Matthew Hardy (510-703-5291)

WASHINGTON, DC – CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statements from President Jeff Freitas and CalSTRS Investment Committee Vice-Char  and AFT 1521 Treasurer Sharon Hendricks following the US Senate’s overwhelming bipartisan vote in support of HR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, which will repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

From Jeff Freitas:

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Rest in power Dennis Kelly

We are saddened to report the passing of former UESF president Dennis Kelly. In addition to being one of the founding leaders of UESF, Dennis was a stalwart member and leader of CFT for decades, ultimately winning CFT’s highest honor, the Ben Rust Award, in 2018. Our thoughts go out to Dennis’s wife Hene, his children Edith and Nathanael, and his entire family.

 

Rest in Power Dennis. You will be missed.

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Sunol Voters Side with Students, Recall Partisan School Board Trustees

SUNOL, CA – Last week a majority of voters in Sunol cast ballots in support of students and successfully recalled Sunol Glen Unified School District School Board Trustees Ryan Jergensen and Linda Hurley. Trustees Jergensen and Hurley acted in an overtly partisan manner and governed in a way that silenced opposing voices and rejected basic tenets of democracy and transparency. They did not serve the best interests of the district’s students and the school community.

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CFT Applauds Budget Deal that Includes Critical School Funding and Layoff Protections

SACRAMENTO, CA –  CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the 2023-24 budget agreement released today:

“In reaching an agreement regarding the 2024-2025 state budget, Governor Newsom and the California Legislature have once again shown their firm commitment to protecting public education in California. This budget fully funds the statutory COLA for both TK-12 and community college systems, increases the base funding for UC by 5%, and provides critical ongoing funding to address the pressing needs of our schools and students. ”

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CFT Calls on Elected Leaders in Sacramento to Identify New Revenue Sources in Response to Governor Newsom’s Latest Budget Proposal

SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on Governor Newsom’s May Revise budget proposal released today: 

“In California’s history, when the state faces dramatic deficits, funding for education is often the first to go. CFT opposes any reduction of public education funding, and the Governor’s May budget revision proposes no new cuts to core education funding from his January budget proposal. 

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CFT Statement on the Passing of Delaine Eastin

Sacramento, CA — CFT released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas on the passing of former Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin: 

“I was saddened to learn the news of Delaine Eastin’s passing. As the only woman to ever serve as our state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Eastin was a trailblazer who prioritized increased academic standards and smaller class sizes. Her mark on California’s public education system leaves a lasting legacy in our state.”

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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.  

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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.