Reflections on CFT’s Convention in San Diego

By Mandy Lucas, AFT 1493 Organizer, Skyline College

Prior to the California Federation of Teacher’s 2025 convention, I didn’t know what to expect so I arrived with an open mind and the curiosity to learn more about our statewide union. There were over 350 people in attendance and the general sessions were filled with inspiring educators and union leaders from across the state who contributed to resolutions that benefit our students and communities, especially amidst current attacks on public education. Speakers such as Lorena Gonzalez (President of California Federation of Labor Unions) and Randi Weingarten (President of AFT) were a reminder that our power is in our union and organizing our communities to be united against attacks on public education, immigrants, unions, LGBTQIA+ communities, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color. 

L to R: AFT 1493 Co-president Tamara Perkins; Mandy Lucas, Organizer; Past President Monica Malamud, Co-president Rika Yonemura Fabian with CFT President Jeff Frietas and CFT Secretary/Treasurer Lacy Barnes, March 15, 2025

Being surrounded by our union siblings taught me that as a union member, I must remember to zoom out of our local and remember that we are part of a larger constituency who are serving and fighting for our students and communities on a state and nationwide level. It is a reminder that although our purpose of fighting for fair conditions on the ground is important, we need to remember that contributing to our statewide and national union is necessary to create laws and policies that impact change on a larger systemic level. My hope is that our members will continue to engage with our union and that they will also tap into the larger fights that CFT and AFT are fighting on a state-wide and national level! Because as our rally chants state, “A union united will never be defeated!” 

And to top off the convention, our local won an unexpected Organizing Award for increasing the number of members in the past year!