Join us on October 4 for our online forum for candidates for CA Superintendent of Public Instruction
All are welcome to attend our online forum for candidates for California Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), set for Saturday, October 4 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Hear from seven SPI candidates about their campaigns and priorities for public education in California. The SPI is a critical position, elected by voters to lead the California Department of Education (CDE), helping to implement state TK-12 education policy and provide direction to local school districts.
Register here to attend the event online. Note: There is no need to register for those attending the CFT State Council meeting.
Join Randi Weingarten at the Sept. 29 CFT Prop. 50 phonebank
AFT President Randi Weingarten will join the CFT phonebank in support of Prop. 50, the Election Rigging Response Act, on Monday, September 29 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. Register here for the phonebank, to do your part to stand up to Donald Trump, who is making an unprecedented power grab to steal congressional seats and rig the 2026 election before voting even begins. Other Republican states are following suit. They want to steal enough seats to control Congress regardless of how the people vote. This is an emergency for our democracy that will have severe consequences if we don’t act. For more volunteer opportunities, check out our campaign website
CFT standing committee members help build the union
Thanks again to all the CFT active and retired members who participated in our standing committee meetings last Saturday in Costa Mesa. CFT committees are an important opportunity for rank-and-file members to share their expertise and help direct the policy positions of CFT. For more on the work of our standing committees, go to our committees page on the CFT website.
Take action to support AB 1028: Clarify the right to bargain termination rights for part-time faculty
With recent court cases and differing legal interpretations, community colleges and unions have been confused over whether termination rights of part-time faculty may be bargained.
AB 1028 addresses this issue by simply clarifying that termination rights may be bargained. While this may be simple enough, we need your help to let the Governor know this is an important issue for part-time faculty!
Please take a moment to sign this CFT letter to Governor Newsom urging him to sign AB 1028!
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15-October 15 we celebrate the histories, cultures, languages and contributions of the more than 62 million Latinos in the United States as part of Hispanic Heritage month. At a time when our communities—and especially Latino families—are facing escalating immigration enforcement and targeted attacks from the highest office in the nation, Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us of our strength, resilience, and the power of our collective voice. It is in these moments of challenge that our solidarity becomes most vital.
For more resources on how you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, check out this great page from AFT and the CFT Hispanic Heritage month web page for curated curriculum and more resources. Additional Hispanic Heritage Month collections can be found on First Book, Share My Lesson and Colorín Colorado
Upcoming events and actions
September 30 training: Organizing Against Autocracy: Strategic Non Cooperation as Resistance – All CFT members are welcome at this important virtual training set for Tuesday, September 30 from 4:00–5:30 p.m. where we will discuss the important role unions play in in stopping autocrats, and how nonviolent noncooperation can be used strategically to fight authoritarianism in our schools and communities. Register here.
September 28 AFT book club: Randi Weingarten on her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers – Join AFT President Randi Weingarten for a special edition of the AFT Book Club on Sunday, September 28 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. as she discusses her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy. Register here.
October 8 webinar: Workers rights and responsibilities in the Trump era – We are witnessing an escalation of anti-democratic and unlawful actions by the Trump administration. In this workshop, set for October 8 from 4:00–5:30 p.m., we will discuss our rights and responsibilities as educators and school employees during this difficult time and how we can exert our rights to protect our students, ourselves, our coworkers, and our communities. Register here.
Save the date: October 18 National No Kings Day of Action – On October 18 millions across the country will come together with one clear message: America belongs to us. No Kings. No Crowns. No Thrones. No Dictators! For more information, click here.
