News Releases
CFT statement on NAEP and Smarter Balanced test results
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress test scores and the California Smarter Balanced test scores today:
“The results of these tests show the profound impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our students’ lives and the pressing need to continue investing in our schools with a laser-like focus to help our students recover and thrive.
CFT statement on historic California state budget
CFT advocacy nets $200 million in state budget for part-time community college faculty healthcare
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the California state budget, which will be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom later today:
CFT leaders condemn Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
Sacramento, CA — Leaders of CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court decision today in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturning Roe v. Wade and ruling that there is no constitutional right to abortion.
From CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary-Treasurer Luukia Smith, and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes:
Pasadena ArtCenter College of Design faculty vote to join CFT in NLRB election
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced today that the faculty of the ArtCenter College of Design have voted to join the union in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. The votes from the mail election were counted yesterday in Los Angeles, California, with over 60% of those participating voting in favor of the union.
CFT statement on the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement following the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas:
“Yesterday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, 19 children and two adults senselessly lost their lives to yet another of the horrific mass shootings that plague our country. They were gunned down while they were doing what millions of educators and students do every day: teaching and learning in a school where they should have been safe.
CFT statement on Governor Newsom’s updated budget proposal
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s updated budget proposal for the 2022-2023 fiscal year:
“Governor Newsom has proven yet again his commitment to public school students and workers in his revised budget proposal. For years we have called for substantial increases in the base funding for our K-14 schools and colleges, and with this budget Governor Newsom has taken an important step towards that goal.
CFT endorses Sharon Hendricks for re-election to the CalSTRS Teachers’ Retirement Board
Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals is proud to announce our endorsement of Sharon Hendricks in her 2023 re-election campaign for the CalSTRS Teachers’ Retirement Board, where she serves as one of three elected members and represents community college instructors in her position. Hendricks was first elected in 2011 and is seeking her fourth term on the board. She is a communications studies faculty member at Los Angeles City College, and an officer in her union, AFT Local 1521.
Survey of California community college part-time faculty shows dire need to reform healthcare system
Part-time faculty in Sacramento today to urge Legislature to support Governor Newsom’s proposed $200 million to transform system
Sacramento, CA — A new survey of part-time California community college faculty shows the stark need to reform healthcare in California community colleges.
Dominican University of California full-time faculty vote to join CFT
SACRAMENTO — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals announced today that the full-time faculty of the Dominican University of California in San Rafael have voted to join the union in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. The votes from the mail election were counted yesterday in San Francisco, California, with 84% of those participating voting in favor of the union.
Claremont Colleges Services librarians and library staff vote to join CFT
Librarians and library staff win union election with 80% support vote
SACRAMENTO — The California Federation of Teachers announced today that the librarians and library staff from the Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) have voted to join the CFT in a union election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. The votes from the mail election were counted yesterday in Los Angeles, California, with 80% of those participating voting in favor of the union.
CFT President Jeff Freitas responds to CDPH update on masking in schools
SACRAMENTO — Earlier today Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health announced updated guidance on masking in schools, lifting mandatory masking and transitioning to strongly recommending masking starting on March 11, 2022.
CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement following the announcement:
CFT President Jeff Freitas supports work action, new contract for ABC Federation of Teachers
SACRAMENTO — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement in support of the members of the ABC Federation of Teachers, who began a ‘Work to Rule’ campaign today to protest inadequate movement by representatives of the ABC Unified School District at the bargaining table. A ‘Work to Rule’ campaign involves teachers and school workers only working their contractually-obligated work hours.
CFT lauds Governor Newsom for his commitment to public education in his January budget proposal
Governor’s proposal includes key CFT priority: $200 million for healthcare coverage for part-time community college faculty
SACRAMENTO — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on Governor Newsom’s January budget proposal today:
Mt. Diablo Unified school psychologists authorize ULP strike with 99% yes vote
Psychologists take action following MDUSD torpedoing of settlement reached in January 2020
Today the Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA) announced that on Tuesday 99% of their members voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike. MDSPA represents nearly 70 psychologists and behavioral health specialists in the Mount Diablo Unified School District. Co-Presidents Sylvia Venturino and Sara Cabezas said the near unanimous vote sends a clear message to the school district that it is on the wrong track.
CFT pledges to work with Governor Newsom, education, and health officials as they implement vaccine requirements for K-12 school staff and students
Recent poll shows supermajority of CFT members support vaccine mandates for staff and students
SACRAMENTO — Following the announcement earlier today by Governor Newsom that the state of California is implementing a vaccine requirement for all K-12 school staff and students, CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement:
Educators and classified professionals celebrate Governor Newsom’s recall victory
CFT looks forward to continuing to work with Governor Newsom to shape California’s education system to be the best in the nation
SACRAMENTO — CFT President Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the failed recall of California Governor Gavin Newsom:
“We are thrilled that California voters overwhelmingly rejected this cynical recall attempt, choosing to keep Gavin Newsom, a strong champion of public education, in office. CFT members worked tirelessly to defeat this recall because we knew this was a power grab by forces that want to destroy public education, who do not have the best interests of our students or our communities at heart.
CFT supports new ‘vaccinate or test’ policy to keep schools and communities safe
SACRAMENTO, CA — Following Governor Newsom’s announcement of a new policy requiring that school employees get vaccinated or submit to regular testing beginning October 15, 2021, CFT released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas:
Back to School: Forward Together – CFT President Jeff Freitas and fellow statewide union leaders begin tour of schools across California as new school year gets underway
Statewide tour to spotlight school communities coming together for safe, in-person learning
SACRAMENTO — Starting this week, CFT President Jeff Freitas, Secretary Treasurer Luukia Smith and Senior Vice President Lacy Barnes will join educators, classified professionals, students, and parents across California as schools start the new school year for full in-person learning.
California’s transformational education investments in budget put state on track to lead nation
SACRAMENTO, CA — Today CFT– A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement from President Jeff Freitas on the California Legislature passing a state budget that contains record-breaking investments in California students:
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
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.