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UC-AFT: Putting union passion to work…

UC-AFT

Putting union passion to work. . . New UC-AFT Executive Director Amy Hines brings a passion for labor to the University Council. For the past several years she worked as an organizer for the California School Employees Association and coordinated the work of 10 labor relations professionals representing 14,000 classified employees in more than 125 districts. 
Hines has worked in unions since 2003, including UAW Local 2322, SEIU Local 1000, and AFSCME Local 3299. Proudly, she said, “I am honored to have been welcomed in all nine UC-AFT locals within my first three months working here.”

Article adult education

The importance of adult education and including adult educators in consultation
Testimony of CFT's Jeff Freitas before Senate Education and Assembly Higher Education Committees

Thank you Senator Liu, Assemblymember Williams, and the committee members.

My name is Jeff Freitas and I am the Secretary Treasurer of the California Federation of Teachers. The CFT represents early childhood educators, K-12 teachers, classified employees, community college faculty, UC lecturers and librarians, and adult educators in the K-12 and community college worlds.

Article accreditation ACCJC

CFT leaders testify at Washington D.C. Capitol hearing
ACCJC given a year to come into compliance

December 13, 2013—CFT Secretary Treasurer Jeff Freitas (right) and AFT 2121 President Alisa Messer (shaking hands with Congressman George Miller) met with Miller while in Washington D.C. to attend the hearing at which the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) was given a year to come into compliance with 15 standards it has violated.

California Teacher ACCJC accreditation

Fair accreditation: Congresswomen lead forum in support of City College
Fair accreditation, transparency demanded of out-of-control agency

Cañada College alumnus and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo called community colleges lifeboats and springboards for Californians. Congresswoman Jackie Speier said they keep our workforce vibrant. And state Sen. Jim Beall said seven of his nine siblings went to community colleges, the only way they could afford higher education. 

California Teacher Classified Conference Rank & Files

Annual conference salutes four classified heroes
From Pasadena to San Francisco, staff make a difference every day

Nothing better illustrates the theme of this fall’s Classified Conference, “Celebrating Our Role in Quality Education,” than the staff who go above and beyond the call of duty. 
The honorees were nominated by their unions and selected as Members of the Year because they are positive role models for workers and students, contribute to the success of the local, and are committed advocates of high-quality education.

California Teacher adult education

Adult Education: New regional consortia meld state programs
Grassroots action required to meet community needs

By Cynthia Eagleton

Ever Since Wall street crashed into Main Street five years ago, adult education has been in a state of change. Until five years ago, adult education in California was stable: Classes were provided primarily through K-12 districts as a protected categorical, and in a few cities, as non-credit offerings at community colleges.

California Teacher Elections 2013

Educators score local ballot box victories
Coalition building proves critical to electoral success

“We phone-banked until we couldn’t talk any more,” reported Pamela Ford, president of the Antelope Valley College Federation of Classified Employees, in describing how her local union worked with campus faculty and community allies to elect Barbara Gaines, a middle school principal, to the board of trustees in this conservative high desert region.