This week’s video was recorded at the CFT State Council meeting in Costa Mesa, where locals from across the state are discussing state funding and legislation, participating in the state superintendent candidate forum, and adopting new union policy.
There’s a lot happening right now—from the threats of the government shutdown to California’s continued underfunding of public education, despite being the world’s 4th largest economy. SFUSD is preparing its second year of cuts to our already barebones schools and has even announced a planned closure next year. Through all of this, one thing is clear: we cannot wait any longer, we have to get even involved at every level.
Our collective power as a union is one of our strongest defenses. Winning a strong contract will prepare us for the challenges ahead, both locally and nationally. And right now, that power is showing in concrete ways. Through our site structures, more that 4,000 members have signed on to the strike ready petition. Over 100 schools and work sites have surpassed 80% participation, and an incredible 76% of our members—a supermajority—have signed on to say they are willing to strike if necessary. This is a historic achievement: the first time in recent UESF history that so many members have participated in a structure test!
Now it’s time to take the work you’ve done—every conversation, every connection—and show the district we are strike ready if necessary. On Tuesday, October 14, we’ll gather at 555 Franklin St. at 5pm for a rally and picket. Then, at 6pm, we’ll deliver our thousands of signatures directly to the Board of Education and make it clear: we are united and committed to winning the schools our students deserve. See you there!
