Dear AFT 2121 Members:
I’m hoping this finds you and yours safe and well. I know your minds are on the terrible COVID-19 crisis, and on meeting the challenges of remote instruction during an already difficult time, but I want to give you some positive news about AFT 2121’s continuing efforts to secure long term, permanent funding for our college, even as we respond to this crisis.
First, a victory: thanks to all of our members who collected signatures for the Schools and Communities first ballot initiative over the past few months, AFT 2121 has collected 2,267 signatures — nearly double our 1200 signature goal! Next up, the state will verify all signatures, and if the statewide threshold is met, Schools and Communities First will go to voters on the November 2020 state ballot.
If you would still like to turn in any remaining Schools and Communities First Petitions, please keep a count of the total signatures, put our code “19” in the box on the bottom right, and mail them ASAP to:
Dana Gonzalez
26500 West Agoura Rd
Suite 102-146
Calabasas, CA 91302
Save your receipt and AFT 2121 will reimburse you for the postage. Please share your signature count and questions about reimbursement with Tim Killikelly (tkillikelly@aft2121.org).
At the local level, the Community Higher Education Fund (CHEF) is definitely still cooking. While we have delayed our planned campaign kick-off event because of the COVID19 crisis, plans are still very much on track to place CHEF on the November ballot as a City Charter amendment guaranteeing $42 million in city funding to City College for classes and student services.
Because CHEF will not take effect until 2021, we’ve also begun building support for a “bridge to CHEF” (some are calling it “sous Chef”) to prevent further cuts to City College in the meantime. We are urging city leaders to include support for City College in the City’s plans for recovery from COVID-19. Experience shows that in economic downturns, people return to school to gain new skills, start or finish degrees, or train for new careers. Our city must prepare for this by ensuring that City College — our city’s educational first responder — is fully funded and ready to offer the rich, diverse curriculum that the people of San Francisco deserve.
Finally, I want to leave you with some links to some COVID-19 resources and information from our state and federal union affiliates:
Please take good care of yourselves, your loved ones, and our larger community by adhering to the statewide “stay home” order, maintaining distance from others when you must go out, and washing hands upon return and frequently throughout the day. Stay safe and union strong!
In Unity,
Jenny Worley
AFT 2121 President
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