Rally for First Contested Teacher Union Election in 14 Years!

Francisco Rodriguez, Candidate for President, Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, and Jennifer Laskin, Candidate for Executive Vice President of Alternative Ed, rally for support at the Watsonville Downtown Plaza on Tuesday.

Friends and supporters of Francisco Rodriguez gathered at the Watsonville City Plaza on Tuesday, March 13 to rally support and inform teachers of the campaign to Elect Francisco Rodriguez for PVFT President in the first contested election in the union since 1993.

With hand made signs and chants eliciting honks from passers by, the group called attention to this year's Teachers Union Election. "I believe it is time to have real communication, accountability and collaboration, not only within our Local, but with the other CFT Locals in the Monterey Bay" said Rodriguez.

Laskin, a Humanities teacher at Renaissance High School believes it is time for a change in the way schools are being treated under the, “No Child Left Behind” act. The union has been explicit in the sanctions being waged against teachers in so-called, “low-performing” schools. “It is time to raise our voice and speak the truth about what these mandated programs are doing to students and our morale. They prevent qualified teachers from doing we do quite well, serving students and teaching based on what we know is best using our experience, collaboration and training. We have a chance to change PVFT leadership this year in a big way that can give us some of our power back.”

Ballots went to teachers home addresses on March 9. They MUST be returned to the union PO Box by March 28. Any ballots not in the box on that day will not be counted.