As CSO President, and on behalf of the entire California Staff Organization, the professional staff who work for CTA’s wonderful 325,000 members, I congratulate the California Teachers Association for 150 years of successful advocacy on behalf of generations of California students in the state’s public education system. Since its inception, CTA has forged a path of advocacy for educators and students, making sure they are not ignored or slighted. Together, we will prevail in our ongoing struggle for the next generation of Californians “to secure a more just, equitable and democratic society for all.” CTA has taken head-on a mission of shifting to an organizing culture, developing a long-term strategic plan in order to do so. The commitment is significant, and I believe it shows an earnest desire to thrive for the next 150 years. Together, CSO members working with CTA members will successfully take on the challenge of change. On behalf of all CSO members, I thank you for your partnership, hard work and union advocacy. Additionally, CSO joins the association in welcoming Joe Nuñez as CTA’s new executive director. Advocacy Appeal Fall 2013 Chuck King CSO congratulates CTA on 150 great years!
Transcript
As CSO President, and on behalf of the entire California Staff Organization, the professional staff who work for CTA’s wonderful 325,000 members, I congratulate the
California Teachers Association for 150 years of successful advocacy on behalf of generations
of California students in the state’s public education system.
Since its inception, CTA has forged a path of advocacy for educators and students, making sure they are not ignored or slighted. Together, we will prevail in our ongoing struggle for the next generation of Californians “to secure a more just, equitable and democratic society for all.”
CTA has taken head-on a mission of shifting to an organizing culture, developing a long-term strategic plan in order to do so. The commitment is significant, and I believe it shows an earnest desire to thrive for the next 150 years.
Together, CSO members working with CTA members will successfully take on the challenge of change. On behalf of all CSO members, I thank you for
your partnership, hard work and union advocacy. Additionally, CSO joins the association in welcoming Joe Nuñez as CTA’s new executive director.
Advocacy AppealFall 2013
Chuck King
CSO congratulates CTA on 150 great years!
Pending anticipated certification by the California Public Employees Relations Board (PERB), 55 mem-bers – including both certificated and classified units – who work at Alameda’s Community Learning Center Schools, Inc., are among the newest members of the CTA union family.
The educators, who have yet to choose a name for their new CTA chapter, serve students in grades K-12 on three separate campuses.
CLCS members started con-versations with Oakland Regional Resource Center California Staff Or-ganization member Becky Flanigan and Muni Citrin, a charter school organizer on contract with CTA, about joining CTA in 2011.
They began quietly building an organizing committee, but a huge turn over in staffing made organiz-ing the newer educators difficult
without exposing the clandestine operation.
In the spring of 2013, follow-ing a host of unfavorable unilateral decisions made by the school’s new management team, the educators had had enough. The organizing committee, by then expanded to include nine members, met almost every week, strategizing on how to increase the necessary number of “yes” votes.
In September, CLCS members launched the petition drive, giving themselves 48 hours to gather the needed signatures. The effort was a huge success, with the new unit filing the 76 percent supported peti-tion with PERB, September 24, 2013.
The new chapter is but the latest example of CTA’s renewed empha-sis on outreach and engagement of education employees in the state’s numerous charter schools.
— Partners in Advocacy —CTA staff and members working for California’s students
What CSO members like best about working
with CTA members
Page 2
Advocacy Appeal is produced quarterly by the California Staff Organization, the union for professional departmental and primary contact staff who work for the
325,000 members of the California Teachers Association. Comments or inquiries may be emailed to [email protected].
Members of the organizing team who helped launch the successful petition drive establishing CTA’s newest local chapter celebrate their victory. The new 55-member Alameda Community Learning Center Schools, Inc., unit is waiting for PERB certification and has yet to choose an official chapter name. This is what CTA/CSO partnership for California’s children is about.
CSO staff aid successful organizing effort for Alameda charter school employees
“Helping members realize and work toward their potential.”
Justin Arnold, Region 4 Inland Empire UniServ
“Seeing members become local and state leaders.”
Ed Sibby, Region 4 Imperial County UniServ
“Watching leaders gain new confidence.”
Joella Aragon, Region 2 Natomas RRC
“Working with members as they band together to achieve a common goal.”
Helen O’Donnell, Region 1 Santa Rosa RRC
“Helping empower leaders to successfully bring members’ voices forward in advocating for strong public education.”
Elisa Gusdal, Region 4 San Bernardino RRC
“I appreciate their valuable time beyond their work day that they put into association work.”
