CTA's Mission
"The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society."
CTA's History
The California Teachers Association was founded in 1863 by John Swett, the state's fourth superintendent of public instruction. His call for a "teachers' institute" led to the California Educational Society, which became the California Teachers Association in 1875.
State Council Report - March 2009
May 19th Election: Initiative 1A-1E Must Pass!
Vote Yes...save public education! All five initiatives must pass to keep
the budget deal from collapsing; they all depend on each other. All must
pass or:
1. Another wave of RIFS will come in August.
2. More programs will be decimated.
3. Class Size will increase...again! (Nothing is sacred).
4. Cuts to salaries and benefits will be on the table!
What can you do as an association? Educate your community now! Continue
with your actions, leaflet your communities, make lawn signs, participate
in phone banks and emails to your representatives. Let your members know
the time to take action is now!
Gayle Mendez Wins Secretary-Treasurer in an Unprecedented Election!
CTA has a hierarchy and a plan. The normal route to the executive board
is to serve as a member of the Board of Directors first, but not for Gayle
Mendez, who ran no campaign and spread the news of her candidacy through
word of mouth. At March State Council she stood up to give a speech with
a message that resonated throughout the council and walked into the office
of Secretary/Treasurer.
Is this a new wave that is changing the direction of CTA? Some feel
that hope in the association has been restored . . . for now. If one person
can stand against the status quo, send a message that speaks to the members
and affect change, then we can all do it.
The Message:
1. Teachers are the experts and should be the ones leading the discussions
concerning education.
2. Open, two way communication is necessary. We will not always agree,
but the discussion needs to continue.
3. CTA's money needs to be spent on the priorities of its members.
She offered her cell phone number to all 600 plus State Council members.
Hold Firm in Bargaining!
Help is on the way from your Federal Government and you may see that money as soon as mid-April. Although the stimulus package being given is one time money the message being sent from President Obama is that it is to be used to save jobs and mitigate the need for cuts and layoffs. Districts will have two years to spend the money and it is intended to be used to preserve jobs; so hold tight and just say NO to cuts at the bargaining table.
CSO Wears Green to Protest Pension Problems
CTA's Staff organized against the organizers on Saturday outside the California Ballroom at the March State Council. Their message was clear:
- The CTA Pension Trust has been weakened in this economic crisis. Inability to comply with the restrictive pre-funding requirements could put the Trust in the Red Zone.
- NEA, along with many other unions lobbied Congress to recognize the dire nature of the Red Zone and enacted a one-year safe-harbor, that give a 1 year extension to remain in the Green Zone.
CTA Management Trustees have chosen NOT to take advantage of the Green
Zone safe harbor, which could force early retirements and a loss of
experienced, quality staff members for our Associations.
What Can You Do? Talk to CTA Management Trust Members Jim Clark, Carlos
Moreno and Dean Vogel and demand that CTA agree to the one-year Green
Zone extension.
Let them know putting CTA member services at risk is unacceptable!
Carleen Maselli
State Council, Sol-1/District A