CFT members shine at the AFT convention
Over 150 CFT members came to Boston last week ready to work at the 2022 AFT convention. Joining thousands of educators, school workers, and healthcare professionals from throughout the country, CFT members brought lots of energy and enthusiasm to the national work of the union.
Among them were Carl Williams, president of the CFT Council of Classified Employee, and the co-chair of the AFT’s national Teacher and School Staff Shortage Task Force, which unveiled a new report at the convention titled Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? What America Must Do to Attract and Retain the Educators and School Staff Our Students Need.
“The impact of shortages has been widespread—from the smallest towns to the largest urban centers. The workers, the people on the ground, see the problems shortages cause up close, which is why we heard directly from them to find solutions for this report,” said Carl in a press release. “The answer to staff shortages isn’t ‘one size fits all,’ but this report will help guide us in the right direction so school support staff—custodians, bus drivers, and other paraprofessionals—can advocate for the working conditions they deserve.”
CFT members were also successful in getting AFT to pass a resolution calling on the U.S. Department of Education to study the pay and benefit inequities of adjunct faculty. Authored by AFT Local 1931’s Geoff Johnson, sponsored by the CFT Part-Time Faculty Committee, and supported by CFT president Jeff Freitas on the floor of the convention, the resolution is a critical step to ensuring our elected leaders are fully aware of and accountable to the inequities faced by part-time faculty.
CFT leaders from throughout the state also spoke eloquently in support of the many other important resolutions considered and passed at the convention, including UESF secretary Leslie Hu, who spoke in support of a resolution on community schools; AFT 1521 member, and CalSTRS board member, Sharon Hendricks, who spoke on a resolution on climate and green investments; and UTLA AFT vice president, and CFT Executive Council member, Juan Ramirez, who spoke on a special order of business condemning recent Supreme Court decisions that attack our freedoms and rights. UTLA president Cecily Myart-Cruz also spoke on community schools in a breakout committee, sharing UTLA’s successful efforts.
CFT members were also recognized for their important contributions to their unions and their communities during the convention. UCLA Labor Center director, and UC-AFT member, Kent Wong won the Legacy Drum Major for Justice Award for his courageous commitment to service, human rights, social justice, and union values. And a host of long-time CFT members were recognized with an AFT Living the Legacy Award for 50 years of service.
Finally, CFT president Jeff Freitas, Juan Ramirez, and Carl Williams were re-elected to their positions on the AFT Executive Council for another two year term.
For more on the AFT convention, including a review and videos of the keynote speakers, go to the AFT website.
