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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.”
CFT advisory committee analyzing impact of CalSTRS funding gap
The Legislature has begun public hearings to address a $71 billion funding gap in the pension system for K-14 teachers. Without an increase in contributions, CalSTRS predicts its assets will be depleted in about 30 years.
Union establishes Retiree Organizing Committee to build new chapters
The CFT has established the Retiree Organizing Committee to help local unions take advantage of the experience, skills and commitment of retired union members.
The goal of this new standing committee is to organize AFT retiree chapters around the state so that retirees may continue to contribute to their unions — and have opportunities to connect with former colleagues.
Photographer brings the art of class struggle to wide audience
Previously censored works of San Diego professor Fred Lonidier in Whitney Biennial
Fred Lonidier’s artwork depicting the lives and struggles of maquiladora workers was banished from the Autonomous University of Baja California in 2005. This month artwork telling the story of that censorship will go up on the walls of New York’s prestigious Whitney Museum of American Art as part of its renowned Biennial exhibition.
CFT campaigns to bring back nurses, libraries
Union-sponsored legislation inspired by labor-community vision
The CFT has launched an ambitious legislative initiative for K-12 schools called Healthy Kids, Healthy Minds, which is embodied in the new union-sponsored bill, AB 1955, carried by Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, a pediatrician with a track record of improving health in local neighborhoods.
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.
Judge issues injunction to keep CCSF open
CFT President Joshua Pechthalt (left) talks with media outside San Francisco Superior Court on December 26. In the courtroom that day, Judge Curtis Karnow listened to arguments for a preliminary injunction to keep City College of San Francisco open.
The judge issued the injunction on January 3.
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.
Historic funding change includes district accountability plans
The new Local Control Funding Formula brings significant opportunities for educators and their unions
Under the LCFF, the governing boards of districts, county offices of education and charter schools, known as Local Education Agencies, are required to adopt a Local Control Accountability Plan every three years starting in July 2014.
Don’t sign! State initiative attacks public employee pensions
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed is mounting a major attack on educators’ pensions. He has filed a voter initiative with the Secretary of State and may start collecting signatures in early 2014 to qualify it for the November ballot.
Local unions give back to their communities
CFT members are well out in front of the AFL-CIO’s new resolve to ramp up its partnering with community allies. Educators are linking arms with new and familiar community partners in efforts that especially resonate during the holidays.
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.