News Releases
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:
CFT President Jeff Freitas Congratulates Rob Bonta on Attorney General Nomination
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 on Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that he will appoint Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Alameda) to serve as California’s next Attorney General:
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:
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.
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:
Agreement between Governor Newsom and legislature a major step in safely returning to in-person education
For Immediate Release
California Federation of Teachers
Teachers and school workers thank Governor Newsom for delivering on vaccine promise
California Federation of Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291
POLL: California educators agree: vaccines, PPE and other safety measures are essential for in-person instruction
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291
CFT President Jeff Freitas hails tentative agreement between unions and SFUSD on safety protocols and vaccines
For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291
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.