Letter from the President
Sisters and Brothers,
We are the San Diego Education Association, your union. SDEA represents over 8,000 Pre-K-12 educators in SDUSD. We are the second largest education union in California, affiliated with the California Teachers Association, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
SDEA members, staff and elected leaders do the critical work of defending our rights and giving voice to the struggles of our schools through our collective efforts. Now more than ever our solidarity defines our success in the labor movement and the movement to protect quality public schools for every child.
Our working conditions are the learning environment of San Diego’s children. SDEA members organize, we advocate, and we bargain to support public education in an era of politicized top-down reforms, inadequate funding, and anti-union legislation. For over 90 years, SDEA has built a foundation of strength for San Diego’s educators and the communities we serve.
In the past year, SDEA has successfully organized to protect members from threats of layoffs, furloughs, and proposed cuts to healthcare and salaries–despite the economic uncertainty which now grips our country. There is much more work ahead, and we will only succeed by building a strong, united, and lasting movement of educators.
But our future together is a bright and promising one. You will be hearing from SDEA in the months ahead as we ask you to be a part of our movement for quality schools. Please take these requests seriously. As you settle into your new positions at your new sites, be sure to find and introduce yourself to your site’s Association Representative. Your AR was elected by your peers to serve as a resource to you and each member at your site. As such, your AR serves as a conduit for information and communication between you and SDEA/CTA/NEA/AFL-CIO.
Finally, we are honored that you chose a career in dedication to children, and we wish you all the best in the years ahead. Welcome to SDEA and to the SDUSD family!
Yours in solidarity,
Camille Zombro
SDEA President