The 75th Annual Convention of the California Federation of Teachers, “Organize, Resist” has been called to convene at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento in Sacramento from March 31- April 2, 2017. The Peralta Federation of Teachers can send as many as 29 delegates to this convention. The ten delegates with the highest votes, in addition to the PFT President, will be reimbursed up to $500 (2 nights) or $350 (1 night) for documented convention-related expenses (allocations have been made for 5 full-time faculty and 5 part-time faculty to attend).
NOMINATIONS FOR DELEGATES TO
THE CFT CONVENTION ARE NOW OPEN
Nominees and the person nominating them must be current dues-paying members of the PFT. If you’re not sure you are a member, contact the PFT office (phone: 510-763-8820). Please make certain that whoever you nominate is willing and able to attend the convention, and is a PFT dues-paying member. Self-nominations are acceptable and encouraged.
All nominations must be received in the PFT office no later than
4 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2017.
Download a nomination form here: CFT CONVENTION CALL 2017
Click below for the full issue.
Dear Members & Friends,
PFT is supporting “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV) efforts to elect Karen Weinstein to the Peralta Board of Trustees and YES on Prop 55 through Election Day. Karen is in a competitive race and needs our help to win. You can help in these ways:
-Post on social media or send an email to your friends, saying “Vote Karen Weinstein for Peralta Board of Trustees, she will champion community college education.” and check out all the people and organizations who support Karen.
– Phone Banking – every night from 5-8 p.m. RSVP for location.
– Walking: Sat. and Sun. starting at 10:00 a.m. throughout the day from 1971 Shattuck ave, Berkeley. But, we will definitely be dropping info to voters in Oakland.
– Monday, Nov. 7, we will be calling yes votes and dropping lit during day and phone banking .
-Tuesday – Election Day. Volunteers will go out to high turnout precincts to hand out materials or hold up signs. First time to go out is at 7:30 AM.
Visibility is important so if you are willing to hold up a sign at Rockridge Bart or N.Berkeley Bart, just let us know.
– Tuesday election night party: Kingston 11 Restaurant at 2270 Telegraph, near Grand, Oakland. We will be celebrating with Nancy Skinner (CFT endorsed) who is running for State Senate and Rebecca Saltzman who is running for Bart Board. There will be free food. Everyone is welcome.
Please RSVP to Karenweinstein.berkeley@gmail.com or Anniefl21@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 9, PFT is hosting a General Membership Meeting at Laney College from 12-1:30 p.m. in room F-200. On the agenda is a negotiations update, Committee on Political Education (COPE) report, recent motion & resolutions of the Executive Council, and Q &A. All faculty are welcome to attend. 900 Fallon Street, Oakland 94606
Follow this link to RSVP for lunch: https://goo.gl/forms/FNbgd2jTd0jPNEkj2
Thursday, November 10 join us and other union members to say NO to the Dakota Access Pipeline. We will gather at Wells Fargo Bank in City Center, 1221 Broadway, Oakland from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in solidarity with the land and water protectors at Standing Rock and call on banks supporting the pipeline to pull their money from the project.
CoA Faculty: We will meet on Monday, November 14 for a chapter meeting in room D-207 from 11:30-1 p.m.. 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy, Alameda 94501. Follow this link to RSVP for lunch. : https://goo.gl/forms/MkuZ2iBJ3NPmlbp62
Merritt Faculty: We will meet on Wednesday, November 16 for a chapter meeting and President’s office hour in room S-435 from 1-3 p.m.12500 Campus Dr., Oakland 94619. Follow this link to RSVP for lunch. https://goo.gl/forms/yO3JmE1twR8q2Xz02
BCC Faculty: We will meet on Wednesday, December 7 for a chapter meeting in room TLC-341 from 12-1:30 p.m. 2050 Center Street, Berkeley, 94707. Follow this link to RSVP for lunch. https://goo.gl/forms/Np74CQ5DcXShhvF32
We hope to see you soon!
The Educator’s Choice Online Voter Guide is an excellent resource for this election season. Simply enter your address to find your polling place and California Federation of Teachers and PFT endorsed candidates that will appear on your ballot.
Visit: http://www.cft.yourvoter.guide
YES ON 55
Karen Weinstein for Peralta College Trustee
Karen will champion:
Student Achievement, Success and Equity: I’ll advocate for increasing student services for our most vulnerable students, including early engagement, mentoring, tutoring, mental health and advising programs—all of which help our students reach their goals and become prepared for College and Careers.
Expanding High School and Peralta Partnerships: I’ll work to expand college options to high school students, which allow high school students to begin their college work or career development while in high school so that when they graduate they are better prepared—saving time and money on their way to a four-year degree or careers.
Safe Campus sites free from sexual assault or harassment: I’ll continue my advocacy to ensure ALL students are safe while on campus. Sexual assault on college campuses is a growing issue, as 1 in 5 young women will be assaulted. It is an important issue for the LGBTQ community.
Recruiting and retaining outstanding Faculty and College staff: I am so honored to receive the endorsement of the Peralta Federation of Teachers, and will focus my efforts on retaining the teaching staff who are working so hard to prepare future generations of leaders.
Good governance is shared and transparent governance: As a trustee, I will be a champion of community engagement, excelling in two way communication, and will work to represent all sectors. We must listen and bring to the District community concerns and ideas, while we inform the public of key issues at Peralta. Lastly, it is important, that trustees find a way to evaluate themselves and the Board’s functioning.
Reminder: PFT is bringing in Emily Gordon, Research Director of the California Federation of Teachers, for a faculty workshop on the PCCD budget. The two-hour session is set for Th., Sep. 22, at 3 p.m. in the PFT offices (500 E. Eighth St., Oakland, across the intersection from district A&R). Emily will offer an accessible overview of district finances, and give faculty a clear picture of Peralta’s spending priorities—a useful snapshot to consult as contract talks continue.
And a review of district spending priorities couldn’t be timelier: PFT has been decrying deteriorating working conditions at the colleges—unmaintained classrooms, dirty bathrooms, overcrowded faculty offices, etc.—and both the union and DAS have voiced concerns over the district’s ongoing expansion of the administration.
Email union@pft1603.org if you plan to attend the 9/22 session so we have plenty of handouts and snacks.
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CoA Faculty: We will hold our first chapter meeting of the academic year on Tues., Sep. 13, from 11:30-1 p.m. in room D-208. Please RSVP for lunch to union@pft1603.org.
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Additionally: Now that AB 1690, CFT sponsored legislation on part-time faculty job security, has passed out of the legislature, it’s imperative we get your support urging the Governor to sign this historic piece of legislation.
Attached please find a template letter for you to download and modify as you see fit. Please do not mail your letter directly to the Governor. Please send them to the CFT Sacramento office. They will have a much greater impact if we can deliver them en masse when advocates meet next with the Governor’s staff.
Please send your signed letters to:
CFT c/o Debra Burruss
1107 Ninth Street, Suite 460
Sacramento, CA 95814
Please send these letters in ASAP. The Governor is likely to either sign or veto this legislation in the next few weeks. (P.S. emails to the Governor will have zero impact.)
Let PFT know you sent a letter!
Ed Jaramillo, President
Peralta Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1603
The newest edition of The Peralta Teacher is hot off the presses! Click the image below for the full issue.
NOMINATIONS FOR DELEGATES TO THE CFT CONVENTION ARE NOW OPEN
The 74th Annual Convention of the California Federation of Teachers, “Activate Labor for Justice” has been called to convene at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco from March 11-13, 2016. The Peralta Federation of Teachers can send as many as 23 delegates to this convention. The ten delegates with the highest votes, in addition to the PFT President, will be reimbursed up to $200 for documented convention-related expenses (allocations have been made for 5 full-time faculty and 5 part-time faculty to attend).
The Convention is open to all CFT members, but only elected delegates can vote. It is the Federation’s highest governance body, where delegates shape union policy and positions on issues affecting all members. The Convention will also elect delegates to the AFT Convention and the California Labor Federation Convention.
All nominations must be received in the PFT office no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2016
For more information and to download a nomination form, please click here.
PFT hopes that you are enjoying an energizing break. There are a few things we would like to put on your radar:
* District Flex Day is Wednesday, January 20th. Stop by the PFT table to check your member status or update your information. Campus Flex Days are TBA.
* We are happy to announce the election of Eva Ng-Chin as Merritt Campus Co-Chair. Arja McCray has decided to resign and PFT extends thanks to Arja for her time representing Merritt Faculty this past year. This leaves an opportunity and need for a replacement campus co-chair for Merritt. Anyone interested in serving in this position should contact Kayla Lewis at union@pft1603.org
* California Federation of Teachers’ annual convention will be held in San Francisco on March 11-13. Nominations will be open to all members beginning January 20th. Forms will be available in your faculty mailbox.