News

In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times  column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

Our Neighborhood Schools Do More Than Teach

An Op-Ed by CFT President Julie Sellers in AFT Voices -  about these uncertain times we are living in

CFT membership endorsed a “YES” vote on ISSUE 7 at our February meeting. ISSUE 7 will be on the March 17^thballot of all Hamilton County voters. ISSUE 7 is a countywide effort to replace Cincinnati’s earning tax with a 0.8% sales tax in Hamilton County to reinvest in our transportation system. The funding raised from the sales tax will result in 25% going to infrastructure needs like roads and bridges, and 75% will go to operating the METRO bus system. Many CPS students use METRO, and if this levy fails, it will result in cuts to routes. For more information go to: https://moveforwardcincy.com/

Bad Winter Weather?  Your Rights and Options Q&A

The new year has set records for cold, disrupting schedules for our schools, families and the students we serve. CFT/CFOP members have asked questions about their rights and obligations when weather interferes with the school schedule. Here are some answers:

What Rules Apply When Schools Are Closed?

Cold Weather Closing Only

The Superintendent makes the decision to close schools due to cold or snow. A closure due to cold weather applies to all schools. All teaching and clerical staff must report when there is a cold weather closing of schools.

NO

What is Project Veritas - read here

Letter from Don Mooney:

Today an operative of the anti-union group Project Veritas attempted to enter the CFT/CFOP office by falsely representing that she was seeking help for her “brother” who she claimed worked at Aiken High School.  She was turned away after refusing to name her “brother”.  This apparent attempt to gain access to CFT’s office and staff is part of a nationwide effort of Project Veritas to infiltrate union organizations and obtain membership data, or embarrassing or compromising information, often recorded surreptitiously on video or audio

CPS recently distributed a memo to all Principals on the subject of student demonstrations and walkouts. You may read this memo here. CFT is supportive of efforts by our students or their parents to speak out on the subject of school safety. However, it is up to the individual teacher/staff member whether to participate. At some schools where students are planning events, some teachers are accompanying the students; others are staying behind to be with students or classes not participating. We encourage all schools participating to collect parental consent forms when students plan to walk off