News Releases
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.
Statement on Governor Newsom’s May Revise State Budget Proposal
For Immediate Release
California Federation of Teachers
Contact: Matthew Hardy – (510) 703-5291
The California Federation of Teachers believes that Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised 2019-2020 budget proposal, which he released today in Sacramento, is a commitment in the right direction to fund K-14 public education in California.
Jeff Freitas and Luukia Smith elected to lead CFT at annual Convention
History made with leadership election: Freitas and Smith are the first out LGBTQ members to lead CFT and Smith is the first classified member elected to a top CFT leadership position
For immediate release
Contact: Matthew Hardy (510-703-5291)
Educators and classified professionals from throughout California gathered for the 2019 CFT Convention this past weekend at the historic Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The Convention marked the 100th anniversary of the CFT, which was founded by eight local teachers’ unions in Vallejo in 1919.
CFT stands with our UTLA members striking to save LAUSD public schools
CFT calls on LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner to immediately
settle a contract that truly invests in LA public schools
As the 33,000 teachers of the United Teachers Los Angeles walked
the picket line for the first time in 30 years today, the
California Federation of Teachers offered their unequivocal
support for their members who are courageously taking a stand to
save public education in Los Angeles. CFT joined parent,
community, labor, Civil Rights, and religious leaders in
demanding that LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner immediately
settle a contract that fully invests in public schools.
CFT applauds Governor Newsom for his commitment to public education in his first state budget
The California Federation of Teachers applauded Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2019-2020 budget today, highlighting the governor’s commitment to increased funding for schools and colleges, profound investment in early education and kindergarten, further investment in public employee pensions, and his two years of free community college for all students.
CFT Strongly Supports Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House
California Federation of Teachers President Joshua Pechthalt released the following statement in support of Nancy Pelosi to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives:
“Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has proven time and again that she is the right person to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. Nancy Pelosi is a strong and effective leader who works tirelessly and successfully in the interests of our students, our families, and our communities.
Teachers and classified workers celebrate Tony Thurmond victory for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Teachers and school workers also congratulate Gavin Newsom, California’s next governor
The California Federation of Teachers celebrated the election of Tony Thurmond for State Superintendent of Public Instruction on Saturday as a resounding call by voters to protect public education. Fighting the headwinds of unprecedented spending by a handful of billionaires and mega-donors in support of Marshall Tuck, Thurmond ran a campaign based on investing in all public schools and supporting all students.
CFT statement on Governor Brown signing CFT-sponsored AB 406, banning for-profit charter schools in California
The following is a statement from CFT President Joshua Pechthalt on California Governor Jerry Brown signing AB 406. AB 406 was sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers and authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (AD-7) and co-authored by Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (AD-15).
California teachers denounce Janus v. AFSCME decision as an attack on their voice and on public education
Teachers and school employees vow to continue the fight for their professions, their students, and public education
This morning the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Mark Janus in the Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 case. The ruling overturned decades of precedent and eliminated the ability of public sector unions to collect fair share, or agency fees.
CFT Statement Calling on the Trump Administration to Immediately Cease Separating Families at the Border
The following is a statement from CFT President Josh Pechthalt calling on the Trump administration to immediately cease separating families at the border
California Federation of Teachers Endorses Gavin Newsom for Governor
The following is a statement on the endorsement by CFT
President Josh Pechthalt:
“The California Federation of Teachers is proud to endorse Gavin
Newsom for governor of California. As educators, we are deeply
impressed by Gavin’s proven track record and strong progressive
vision for our state and our schools.
California Federation of Teachers Condemns Trump’s Decision to End DACA Program, Calls on Congress to Immediately Pass Dream Act
Statement from CFT President Joshua Pechthalt
The California Federation of Teachers strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which threatens the future of 800,000 young immigrants brought to the United States as children. In California alone more than 200,000 Dreamers and their families are now at risk.