Momentum growing as UC-AFT faculty take on UC in contract fight
Last week nearly 2,000 UC teaching faculty, students, and supporters took part in a two-day rally across the state in support of UC-AFT negotiations with the University of California system.
In the negotiations, which have dragged on for over two years, UC teaching faculty are fighting for critical issues familiar to all contingent faculty – more job security, real and fair evaluations, and an increase in pay. Even though UC-AFT members teach approximately 30% of all UC undergraduate classes, their median annual salary is less than $20,000 and up to a quarter of all faculty turn over every year.
While the UC has stonewalled in negotiations for many months, the statewide rally and recent hard hitting reporting by CalMatters has gotten the attention of lawmakers in Sacramento and finally some recognition from the UC. UC-AFT negotiators have reported some movement at the bargaining table. But there is still more work to do.
Please take a moment to take this online pledge in solidarity with UC-AFT members. And if you are able, please consider donating to the UC-AFT militancy fund. For more information about the contract fight, check out the UC-AFT campaign website at weteachuc.org.
California on track for another historic budget next year
This week Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California is on track to have another historic budget surplus next year. In making the announcement, the governor proposed using a portion of the surplus to pay down pension obligations for public sector workers, but otherwise released few details.
With many school districts and community colleges losing enrollment, there is widespread concern of budget deficits in the coming years. In the midst of a budget surplus, and at a time when we have an education staffing crisis, program cuts and layoffs in districts and colleges are unacceptable. According to CFT President Jeff Freitas, CFT will continue to advocate for full funding for our schools and colleges and will continue to work to protect the jobs of educators and classified workers.
Across the country workers are flexing their power for better jobs
As the pandemic continues, workers across the country are standing up for jobs in a way not seen in years. Millions of workers have yet to return to work, many citing low pay and safety issues as the reason they are holding out. A wave of activism and job actions are also underway as labor unions are organizing and sometimes heading to the picket lines.
10,000 John Deere workers in three states have gone on strike this month, standing up to a company that has made record profits in the past few years and has rewarded their CEO with a 160% pay increase in the past year.
“The timing is right. Right now, we’re seeing the cheap labor bubble burst. We’re seeing the rebirth of the American labor movement,” said one John Deere worker to the LA Times.
2,000 hospital workers in New York, 1,400 Kellogg workers in four states, and 1,100 coal miners in Alabama have also walked the picket lines this month, with almost 21,000 Southern California Kaiser workers potentially joining them soon. And a strike of 40,000 IATSE union members, who work in the entertainment industry, was narrowly avoided earlier this week.
We stand in solidarity with all workers who are taking a stand for their jobs and their families, and are ready to join them on the picket line if they are forced to go out on strike.
