Welcome to CFT’s newest retiree local: Palomar College Council of Classified Employees, AFT Local 4522-R
Congratulations to those who helped organize the first ever retiree local with the Palomar Council of Classified Employees. The new local was chartered on October 1, and already includes 71 members, who are eager to get their new organization up and running.
According to Patti Serafin, who helped spearhead the creation of the new local with fellow retiree Anne Marie Watson, they look forward to putting on programs and events that keep people connected, and to helping those nearing the end of their careers navigate the retirement process.
But first up the new retiree local is focused on supporting their union siblings at Palomar College, helping to elect their endorsed candidates to the college’s board of trustees in November.
Pictured above: Patti Serafin, who also serves as the Secretary of the CFT Classified Council, shares the good news at CFT’s recent State Council meeting.
Interested in starting a retiree chapter? Check out our step-by-step guide.
State Council delegates write to voters in Arizona
At the CFT State Council last weekend, dozens of delegates took the time to write to voters in Arizona, urging them to support working people and public education by voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. As ballots hit mail boxes this week, they joined CFT members across the state in volunteering for the election. You can join them in the coming week at a 5:30 p.m. phone bank on Tuesday, October 15, with fellow California union members who will make calls into swing congressional districts in California (RSVP here). More volunteer opportunities in the coming weeks can be found here.
Already looking to fill out your ballot and send it in? Don’t forget to check out our Educators Choice Voter Guide for recommendations on state and local candidates and initiatives.
Help our AFT family recover from Milton and Helene
Hurricane Milton has battered the southeastern United States, leaving 3 million people without power and millions more displaced. Families in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and other states were already struggling to rebuild and recover from Hurricane Helene just weeks before, and now many of them face even more devastation. The AFT has reopened their disaster relief fund to help fellow AFT members impacted by the hurricanes. Click here to make a donation.
News in Brief
CFT leaders welcomed by Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers – CFT President Jeff Freitas and Executive Vice President Juan Ramirez were given a warm welcome this week by the members of the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers. The day-long visit started with a visit to the San Martin/Gwinn K-8 school, which is both an immersion and community school in the district. CFT leaders got an opportunity to see powerful and fun lessons in the classroom, followed by a lunchtime meeting, and the union's executive council later in the evening (pictured above), where they discussed local, state, and national policies.
October 18 faculty and student forum on fixing AB 1705. AFT Local 1521 will host a faculty and student forum next week on how to address shortcomings of AB 1705, which was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022 and eliminated remedial math and English courses at California’s community colleges. Hear from faculty and students as they present and discuss solutions to fixing AB 1705 at the hybrid event (online and in person) which will take place on Friday, October 18 between 9:30-11:30 a.m. RSVP here.
Apply to serve on the CDE Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Work group – The California Department of Education is recruiting members of the Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Work group as outlined in CFT-sponsored AB 1273. The work group will play a critical role in providing recommendations to the Legislature regarding classified employees within local education agencies across the state. CFT classified members are encouraged to apply. Details and application here.
