Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1544915
Establish paid pregnancy leave for educators Our union continues to fight for paid pregnancy leave — a basic right in most countries — to address the inequities faced by educators, the majority of whom are women. Cur- rently, educators must use all sick time before accessing reduced pay, forcing many to return to work prematurely or face financial hardship. This discriminatory practice impacts their health, family planning and retirement, where women already earn significantly less than male colleagues. "Educators devote their lives to their students; yet, when it comes to their own families, they have to constantly sac- rifice because of the lack of basic supports such as paid pregnancy leave," said CTA Secretary-Treasurer Jones. " The time is now to provide teachers with the dignity to build their families without the added stress of trying to figure out sick days and lower pay." CTA is sponsoring AB 65 (Aguiar-Curry) to establish paid pregnancy leave for educators. Its passage would grant public school employees up to 14 weeks of leave with full pay when an employee is pregnant or experiences preg- nancy-related health issues, including childbirth, miscarriage, termination of pregnancy or recovery from those conditions. In 2023–24, our union co-sponsored similar legislation, which stalled in the Senate; we also collected 20,000 signa- tures of educators and others supporting the bill. Many of them detailed their horror stories — of taking unpaid days off for doctor appointments for their newborns because they had used all their sick time, being unable to pay bills because of their reduced pay, returning to work too early because they needed the money. "I am currently pregnant with my first child," said Ashley Thompson, a member of Menifee Teachers Association. "Rather than being excited, my husband and I are trying to plan how to pay our bills and make sure we have food on the table. My child deserves a mom who is present, not one concerned about returning to work as soon as possible so I can receive my full pay." The financial impacts of this inequity are long-lasting. Because women are forced to use all sick time with each pregnancy, they have substantially less sick days at retire- ment, meaning that they need to work longer or earn less in retirement. On average, women receive almost $100,000 less in retirement than their male colleagues. "After 35 years of teaching, the lack of pregnancy leave is still affecting me in retirement," said Susan Heflin, a member of CTA/NEA-Retired. "I lost about six months on my years of service credit in retirement from my pregnancy leaves, but I also lost the years of service credit for the lost sick days. It's not right!" Without pregnancy leave policies, schools and students pay the price. According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, 15% of teachers who leave the profession cite per- sonal reasons such as pregnancy, childbirth and caring for family. Replacing teachers comes with a steep price tag, with estimates suggesting districts spend between $11,000 and $25,000 to replace a single teacher depending on the size of the district. Teacher turnover also harms student outcomes, while teachers who stay become stronger each year. The total estimated cost to provide 14 weeks of pregnancy leave for California educators would be the equivalent of $6 annually per taxpayer — about the cost of a cup of coffee. This investment would give teachers critical paid parental leave that ultimately strengthens families, classrooms and the economy. To learn more and to add your name and your story in support of AB 65, visit cta.org/pregnancy-leave. Front row, left to right: CTA Secretary-Treasurer Erika Jones, Natomas Teachers Association member Lydiana Alfaro and her baby, Asm. Cecilia Aguiar-Curry in 2024 supporting the Paid Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act. Similar bill AB 65 is currently working its way through the Legislature. " The time is now to provide teachers with the dignity to build their families without the added stress of trying to figure out sick days and lower pay." — CTA Secretary=Treasurer Erika Jones 4 41 S P R I N G 2 0 26