Claremont Colleges Services librarians join CFT!
Last week it was officially announced that librarians and library staff from the Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) voted to join the CFT in a union election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. The votes from the mail election were counted in Los Angeles, California, with 80% of those participating voting in favor of the union.
The Claremont Colleges Services is the central coordinating and support organization for the seven independent colleges known as The Claremont Colleges in Claremont, CA. In total, there are 34 librarians and library workers in the bargaining unit, which is now known as The Claremont Colleges Services Library Staff Federation.
TCCS librarian and organizer Jeanine Finn was heartened by the results of the vote, and what it will mean not only for the library workers, but the Claremont Colleges students and faculty as well.
“At the Claremont Colleges Library we make essential contributions to successful teaching, learning, and research across the seven separate educational institutions in the consortium every day,” said Jeanine Finn. “We came together collectively to have a greater voice and agency in our workplace, and are so excited to be launching a new chapter where we can fully contribute to an environment for education where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
CFT President Jeff Freitas congratulated the library workers on their union victory, and pledged to support them as they negotiate their first contract with TCCS.
“We are honored to welcome the librarians and library workers of the Claremont consortium into the CFT,” said Jeff Freitas. “We look forward to working with the consortium to quickly negotiate a contract that recognizes the critical contributions these workers make every day to the students and faculty of the Claremont Colleges.”
Want to congratulate the newest members of CFT on their union victory? Retweet, with a comment, this post from the Claremont Library workers.
AFT Disaster Relief Fund: Donate to help Ukrainian refugees
The AFT is coordinating with the teachers unions in countries that border Ukraine, including Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to support the millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. Through the AFT Disaster Relief Fund, the AFT is collecting money to send to these unions’ relief efforts. They’re setting up welcome programs in public schools for the children who have fled the horrific Russian invasion. In Poland they’re even caring for refugees in their offices. Eventually the AFT hopes to be able to send support to the teachers in Ukraine to re-open schools after Russia is forced back out of the country.
Donations of any amount are appreciated.
Student loan forgiveness webinar Tuesday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m.
All CFT members are welcome to take part in a free webinar on student loans hosted by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation this Tuesday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m. Meet the many government, legal, and nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to student loan borrowers and learn about their services from free legal help to information, answers, and guidance on Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver, loan discharges, and more.
Register here.
Sign the petition in support of Cerritos College faculty
After fifteen months of negotiations, the Cerritos College Faculty Federation (CCFF), AFT Local 6215 has reached impasse in negotiations with their district. CCFF is looking to settle a contract that secures wages that reflect their experience and qualifications, and to build toward a more equity focused workplace. Unfortunately, their district is only interested in off schedule lump sum payments.
Take a moment to support your union siblings in CCFF by signing this petition, urging the Cerritos College trustees to settle a fair contract with an equitable salary increase for all faculty.
