On October 22, the California Public Employment Relations Board reached an important decision regarding the Petaluma City School District’s violations of employee rights. We want the community we serve to be aware of this decision and the impact of the school board’s questionable actions regarding this case.
The California Public Employment Relations Board has upheld their finding that Petaluma City Schools violated the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA). The case was originally decided in January 2018 when the District was found guilty of interfering with employee and organizational rights in 2014. Unfortunately, current school board members decided to use District funds and resources on legal services to appeal the PERB decision. When questioned by the Petaluma Federation of Teachers, Superintendent Gary Callahan left no doubt that it was the school board members who made the decision to appeal. Not only was this a misguided decision and a questionable use of valuable District funds, it makes it clear that the current school board has no interest in working with the Petaluma Federation of Teachers to improve relations. The District must now comply with the order from the State of California and post a Notice to Employees in a visible location at all work sites for no less than 30 work days, no later than November 5, stating they have violated the EERA.
Help teachers support students. Teachers overwhelmingly support Mady Cloud, Caitlin Quinn, and Joanna Paun for Petaluma City School Board. Petaluma deserves a school board that will honor established labor law and use valuable resources wisely.
Sandra Larsen, President Petaluma Federation of Teachers
The California Public Employment Relations Board has upheld their finding that Petaluma City Schools violated the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA). The case was originally decided in January 2018 when the District was found guilty of interfering with employee and organizational rights in 2014. Unfortunately, current school board members decided to use District funds and resources on legal services to appeal the PERB decision. When questioned by the Petaluma Federation of Teachers, Superintendent Gary Callahan left no doubt that it was the school board members who made the decision to appeal. Not only was this a misguided decision and a questionable use of valuable District funds, it makes it clear that the current school board has no interest in working with the Petaluma Federation of Teachers to improve relations. The District must now comply with the order from the State of California and post a Notice to Employees in a visible location at all work sites for no less than 30 work days, no later than November 5, stating they have violated the EERA.
Help teachers support students. Teachers overwhelmingly support Mady Cloud, Caitlin Quinn, and Joanna Paun for Petaluma City School Board. Petaluma deserves a school board that will honor established labor law and use valuable resources wisely.
Sandra Larsen, President Petaluma Federation of Teachers
Petaluma Federation of Teachers Executive Council, with input from its active members, has committed to endorse
Mady Cloud, Joanna Paun, and Caitlin Quinn
for Petaluma City Schools Board of Trustees.
We strongly feel it is time to change the composition of the Board, both to more broadly represent
the diversity of the Petaluma Community and to bring some
new and innovative problem-solving strategies to the decisions that affect students and employees of Petaluma.
Mady Cloud, Joanna Paun, and Caitlin Quinn
for Petaluma City Schools Board of Trustees.
We strongly feel it is time to change the composition of the Board, both to more broadly represent
the diversity of the Petaluma Community and to bring some
new and innovative problem-solving strategies to the decisions that affect students and employees of Petaluma.
The Petaluma Federation of Teachers Local 1881 Executive Council meetings take place monthly during the regular school year from 3:45-6 pm at the PFT Office, 775 Baywood Drive, Petaluma. See our list of 2018-19 meetings.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Read the latest President's Message on the President's Page, along with past communications. President Sandra Larsen addresses the Supreme Court's decision on Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From CFT.org: The Janus decision is an attack on our voice and on public education Read more here, and see President Sandra Larsen's July update for her thoughts on this significant Supreme Court decision.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * COPE (Committee on Political Education) meets regularly at the PFT Office. Our Committee on Political Education (COPE) is looking for representation from each site. Please contact our COPE chair Tiana Grzebik or the PFT office for information.
Thank you, and see our COPE page for occasional updates. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BOARD MEETINGS are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Petaluma City Schools District Office Board Room, 200 Douglas Street, Petaluma, beginning at 6:00 PM for public sessions. It is so important for our members to attend these meetings. Please attend and be informed!! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Petaluma City Schools Teachers took ACTION during April and May, 2017
For information about why we conducted a one-day unfair labor practice strike on May 24, 2017, read more here. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Petaluma Teachers are committed to providing the best quality education possible for our students while creating equitable and sustainable working conditions for our Federation Members. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
PFT President Sandra Larsen was honored with the California Federation of Teachers Women in Education Award at the 2018 CFT convention
California Federation of Teachers Convention 2018
The CFT Convention was held March 23- 25, 2018 at the Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa. PFT 1881 sent our President Sandra Larsen and six delegates elected by the members. See the link for highlights of the work accomplished at the convention. Additionally, this year's recipient of the CFT Women in Education Award is Sandra Larsen, president of the Petaluma Federation of Teachers, who led the local in its first strike last year to win much-needed improvements for district teachers. Congratulations, Sandra! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PFT In the News
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PFT's Gary Ravani Memorial Scholarship is available annually for senior students of active PFT Members. Applications are now closed for 2017-18, but will be available again in January 2019 for next year's graduating seniors. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * See our new Community Support page where we are adding statements, with permission, from parents and the community in support of teachers and our students. If you would like to be included, email us at pftoffice775@gmail.com.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
California Federation of Teachers
a Union of Professionals
a Union of Professionals