The Petaluma Federation of Teachers, Local 1881,
is committed to providing the best quality education possible for our students
while creating equitable and sustainable working conditions for our Federation Members.
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is committed to providing the best quality education possible for our students
while creating equitable and sustainable working conditions for our Federation Members.
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This statement was issued by California Federation of Teachers President Jeff Freitas and Secretary/Treasurer Luukia Smith regarding historic events in Georgia, and then in our nation's Capitol, on January 6, 2021. We, the Executive Council of Petaluma Federation of Teachers, support this statement:
This morning we witnessed the historic victories in Georgia of Senator-elect Raphael Warnock and Senator-elect Jon Ossoff. Much of the credit for these two victories goes to the heroic work of organizers in Georgia, including the amazing Stacey Abrams. Many thanks are also due to those who volunteered from across the country during the campaigns, including many CFT members. This is how democracy works, through organizing, hard work, and voters making their voices heard.
Then the day turned dark as we watched with great concern the events that transpired in Washington, D.C. A small but dangerous group, incited by Donald Trump, attempted an insurrection by violently entering the U.S. Capitol building to disrupt the Congress, which was engaged in their Constitutional duty to certify the Electoral College results.
As President-elected Joe Biden stated today, “Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it's disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now.”
We condemn the violent attacks in our nation’s capital today, and join the California Labor Federation in calling for all California Republican members in Congress, especially GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, to immediately and forcefully condemn those responsible for the events of today.
The violent actions of today are just the latest in a string of attempts by Donald Trump to subvert our democracy. But our democracy is holding firm.
And we continue to move forward. Two weeks from today, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the next President of the United States. And those two new senators from Georgia will ensure that Vice President Harris will be the deciding vote on who the next Senate Majority Leader will be.
Our democracy will stand firm as long as we and our fellow Americans continue to stand up for it. And we as a union will be right there to defend it.
In Unity,
Jeff Freitas
CFT President
Luukia Smith
CFT Secretary Treasurer
This morning we witnessed the historic victories in Georgia of Senator-elect Raphael Warnock and Senator-elect Jon Ossoff. Much of the credit for these two victories goes to the heroic work of organizers in Georgia, including the amazing Stacey Abrams. Many thanks are also due to those who volunteered from across the country during the campaigns, including many CFT members. This is how democracy works, through organizing, hard work, and voters making their voices heard.
Then the day turned dark as we watched with great concern the events that transpired in Washington, D.C. A small but dangerous group, incited by Donald Trump, attempted an insurrection by violently entering the U.S. Capitol building to disrupt the Congress, which was engaged in their Constitutional duty to certify the Electoral College results.
As President-elected Joe Biden stated today, “Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it's disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now.”
We condemn the violent attacks in our nation’s capital today, and join the California Labor Federation in calling for all California Republican members in Congress, especially GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, to immediately and forcefully condemn those responsible for the events of today.
The violent actions of today are just the latest in a string of attempts by Donald Trump to subvert our democracy. But our democracy is holding firm.
And we continue to move forward. Two weeks from today, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the next President of the United States. And those two new senators from Georgia will ensure that Vice President Harris will be the deciding vote on who the next Senate Majority Leader will be.
Our democracy will stand firm as long as we and our fellow Americans continue to stand up for it. And we as a union will be right there to defend it.
In Unity,
Jeff Freitas
CFT President
Luukia Smith
CFT Secretary Treasurer
Catastrophic Leave Bank Information: We need donated hours!
See more information on our Resources page
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See more information on our Resources page
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The Petaluma Federation of Teachers,
Local 1881, is an affiliate of the California Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, and AFL-CIO 1301 Redwood Drive #225, Petaluma, CA 94954 (707) 762-2184 pftoffice775@gmail.com 
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 in Petaluma. See our list of 2020-21 meetings.
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Read the latest President's Message on the President's Page, along with past communications from President Sandra Larsen * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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 Kelly Kovanis 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!! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
PFT's Gary Ravani Memorial Scholarship is available annually for senior students of active PFT Members, and is awarded by the Petaluma Educational Foundation at their May event. Please see our Contract/Resources page for more information. The digital copy of the application is available HERE.
The next round of scholarships will be for our Class of 2021 seniors. Applications will be available January 2021, due in February 2021. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * California Federation of Teachers Convention
Our CFT Convention now takes place biannually. The next CFT convention will be held in the spring of 2021. The last Convention in 2019 was a special year for our union as CFT celebrated its founding 100 years ago. In our centennial year, the CFT Convention was held March 22-24 at the historic Millennium Biltmore in Los Angeles. PFT 1881 sent our President Sandra Larsen and four voting delegates elected by the members. Todd Siders (Casa), Erinn VanderMeer (KJHS), Kelly Kovanis, and Krista O'Connor (both PHS) attended Committee meetings, reviewed resolutions, and participated in the Floor Debate to help determine, shape, and support educational legislation for the subsequent two years. Additionally, the 2019 recipient of the CFT Women in Education Award was our very own Sandra Larsen, president of the Petaluma Federation of Teachers, who led the local in its first strike in 2017 to win much-needed improvements for district teachers. Congratulations, Sandra! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
California Federation of Teachers
a Union of Professionals
a Union of Professionals