About Us
The California Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals affiliated with the more than 1.7 million member American Federation of Teachers, and through it with the AFL-CIO.
Through its local unions, the CFT represents more than 120,000 educational employees working at every level of public and private education from Head Start to the University of California.
The CFT was founded in 1919 to provide a labor union alternative for classroom teachers. To gain employee rights taken for granted by other workers, CFT lawyers and courageous teachers tested the courts again and again, building a strong body of case law.
Through its local unions, the CFT represents more than 120,000 educational employees working at every level of public and private education from Head Start to the University of California.
Power up! Become a member
Membership in the AFT is usually established by joining an AFT local, a council of locals or, in some cases, a statewide affiliate.
Membership in the AFT is usually established by joining an AFT local, a council of locals or, in some cases, a statewide affiliate.
Most AFT locals are organized around a specific employer (such as a school district, a hospital or a municipality).