What's going on in the political arena
Support California Higher Education -- sign on!
If our new ballot initiative passes in November, California will have $9 billion in new revenue. That's $2.1 billion more than the governor said would balance his proposed budget! But here's the problem: despite exponential increases in fees and tuition over the last 10 years, we still have no commitment from the Governor or the Legislature to reverse tuition hikes and invest in the restoration of University of California, California State University, and community colleges.
It now costs a middle-class family more to send a child to a UC or CSU than Harvard or Yale¹, and student protests against exorbitant tuition increases have been front page news for months. On March 5th, more than 10,000 students from all over the state descended on Sacramento and rallied for more funding.
How has Sacramento's responded? Published reports indicate Gov. Brown and UC officials are considering a secret deal that could raise tuition another 15% over the next four years.² In response, student organizations, labor unions, and grassroots organizers from all over the state have come together and signed an open letter demanding that Sacramento decrease tuition in the May budget.
The letter is being signed by concerned Californians all across the state, but it will be much more powerful if we can add faculty and union members like you to the list of signatories. Please join us.
What does Sacramento think is more important than lowering student tuition or restoring classes and educational services? Paying back Wall Street bondholders on an accelerated payment schedule, that's what. California's politicians have presided over an unconscionable dis-investment in public higher education. The Master Plan for Higher Education, enacted by Gov. Brown's father in 1960, launched an unprecedented economic boom in California and made it the envy of the world. Now that dream is in shambles.
Make Sacramento prioritize higher education funding.
In solidarity,
Alisa Messer
President, AFT 2121
1. http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_20101265/believe-it-harvard-cheaper-than-cal-state
March 2012 actions to defend public education and social services
Click here for links and news artcles on the March 1, March 5 and March 22 actions.
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Day of Action in SF to Stop the Federal Cuts
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Expand Social Security! No Cuts to Medicaid! Medicare for All! Hundreds of San Francisco unionists and community activists rallied and marched through the financial district on Friday, December 2nd, 2011. Check out video and AFT 2121 photos.
"State of Emergency" rally a powerful event
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Protesters converged at San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza on May 13, 2011 for the "State of Emergency" rally to protect education and public services. Thank you to all AFT 2121 members who came to support the finale to the May 9-13 "Week of Action".
Hands Across California a fun event
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Thank you to all the faculty and students who participated in this exciting event.
New Priorities Campaign
Please sign on to the New Priorities Campaign to end the wars and convert military spending to funding for human needs and the saving the environment (endorsed by AFT 2121 Delegate Assembly):
We Are One rally a success
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Thank you to all those faculty and students who turned out for the “We Are One” march and rally on April 4, 2011. Click here to check out this moving statement by Tim Paulson of the San Francisco Labor Council.
Members at simultaneous rallies in solidarity for Wisconsin
AFT 2121 members and CCSF ESL instructor Kim Lee attended the February 26, 2011 rally in Sacramento in support of Wisconsin public employees. Below are pictures taken by Kim.
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On the same day, thousands gathered in San Francisco, including AFT 2121 member Allan Fisher and AFT 2121 President Alisa Messer:
Look up California Legislation
Need help finding information on a particular bill? leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html is a website that allows access to legislation past and present.