CFT Virtual Convention 2021 brings hope and change
The 78th CFT Convention in March 2021, featuring the theme Rise Up, Recover, and Rebuild, had some firsts: the first one to be biennial rather than annual; the first under CFT’s new identity, A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals; the first with Jeff Freitas as the CFT president; and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first one held virtually. Use the link to watch portions of the event, including a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris and an excellent presentation with Harvard professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad on issues of racial justice and education.
The 78th CFT Convention in March 2021, featuring the theme Rise Up, Recover, and Rebuild, had some firsts: the first one to be biennial rather than annual; the first under CFT’s new identity, A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals; the first with Jeff Freitas as the CFT president; and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first one held virtually. Use the link to watch portions of the event, including a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris and an excellent presentation with Harvard professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad on issues of racial justice and education.
California Federation of Teachers Conventions 2019 and 2021
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!
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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!
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January 2021:
The following 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
The following 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
On October 22, 2018, 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.
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.
Sandra Larsen, President Petaluma Federation of Teachers
From CFT.org: The Janus decision, June 2018, 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.
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PFT in the NEWS
"460 Petaluma Teachers Protest Against Unfair Labor Practices" KRON Bay Area News, May 24, 2017
"Nearly 5,000 Petaluma Students Absent Amid One Day Strike" Press Democrat, May 24, 2017
Petaluma teachers work to contract amid labor dispute
May 1, 2017
Petaluma Teachers Rally for a Better Contract - April 11, 2017
For Petaluma teachers, moonlighting pays the bills
Argus Courier, March 9, 2017
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New Contract Gives Petaluma Teachers 5.6% Raise
Press Democrat, May 29, 2015
Read the PFT Newsletter "We Did It!" from May 2015 HERE!
Close to Home: A school district’s greatest asset: Teachers
Press Democrat, February 9, 2015
Report criticizes Petaluma school board, outgoing superintendent
Press Democrat, January 30, 2015
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Petaluma Teachers and District at Impasse
Press Democrat, December 17, 2014
North Bay Jobs with Justice to Hold Hearing on Contract Negotiations and Working Conditions for Teachers in Petaluma City Schools
December 11, 2014
Teachable Moment: Petaluma Federation of Teachers makes case for higher wages
Bohemian, December 10, 2014
Five Vie for Petaluma City School Board
Press Democrat, October 27, 2014
Teachers object to schedule; Extended kindergarten hours raise hackles
Argus Courier, October 23, 2014
Teacher unrest escalates as negotiations continue to stall
Argus Courier, October 16, 2014
Petaluma Teachers Union to Protest Stalls in Contract Talks
Press Democrat, October 13, 2014
"Petaluma Teachers Not Asking for the Moon"
a new article at cft.org, August 22, 2014
Time for a cost of living adjustment. District: return to the table and negotiate in good faith!
Argus Courier, August 21, 2014
"Petaluma teacher pay standoff drags into school year"
Press Democrat, August 12, 2014
"School district, teachers at loggerheads yet again"
50 teachers took their message to the Petaluma School board meeting by marching from Petaluma city hall to the Petaluma school district office to increase community awarness and gather support on Tuesday evening July 15, 2014.
READ THE ARGUS COURIER ARTICLE HERE
"460 Petaluma Teachers Protest Against Unfair Labor Practices" KRON Bay Area News, May 24, 2017
"Nearly 5,000 Petaluma Students Absent Amid One Day Strike" Press Democrat, May 24, 2017
Petaluma teachers work to contract amid labor dispute
May 1, 2017
Petaluma Teachers Rally for a Better Contract - April 11, 2017
For Petaluma teachers, moonlighting pays the bills
Argus Courier, March 9, 2017
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New Contract Gives Petaluma Teachers 5.6% Raise
Press Democrat, May 29, 2015
Read the PFT Newsletter "We Did It!" from May 2015 HERE!
Close to Home: A school district’s greatest asset: Teachers
Press Democrat, February 9, 2015
Report criticizes Petaluma school board, outgoing superintendent
Press Democrat, January 30, 2015
* * * * * * * * *
Petaluma Teachers and District at Impasse
Press Democrat, December 17, 2014
North Bay Jobs with Justice to Hold Hearing on Contract Negotiations and Working Conditions for Teachers in Petaluma City Schools
December 11, 2014
Teachable Moment: Petaluma Federation of Teachers makes case for higher wages
Bohemian, December 10, 2014
Five Vie for Petaluma City School Board
Press Democrat, October 27, 2014
Teachers object to schedule; Extended kindergarten hours raise hackles
Argus Courier, October 23, 2014
Teacher unrest escalates as negotiations continue to stall
Argus Courier, October 16, 2014
Petaluma Teachers Union to Protest Stalls in Contract Talks
Press Democrat, October 13, 2014
"Petaluma Teachers Not Asking for the Moon"
a new article at cft.org, August 22, 2014
Time for a cost of living adjustment. District: return to the table and negotiate in good faith!
Argus Courier, August 21, 2014
"Petaluma teacher pay standoff drags into school year"
Press Democrat, August 12, 2014
"School district, teachers at loggerheads yet again"
50 teachers took their message to the Petaluma School board meeting by marching from Petaluma city hall to the Petaluma school district office to increase community awarness and gather support on Tuesday evening July 15, 2014.
READ THE ARGUS COURIER ARTICLE HERE