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Senate adopts resolution urging federal protections for classified school employees
Summary
The California State Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 2 urging federal legislation to protect classified school employees, after members described their roles as essential and undercompensated.
The California State Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 2 urging Congress and the president to enact federal legislation that “affirms and protects the rights of classified school employees,” the chamber’s author said during floor debate.
Senator Cortese, the resolution’s author, told colleagues that classified staff "include para educators, bus drivers, custodians, clerical workers, food service staff, and more" and said their hours, wages and benefits "fall far short of what is needed to support themselves." The measure was presented as a statement of federal policy, not a state funding mandate.
Senator Cervantes spoke as a joint author, saying the resolution "cannot be timelier" and calling classified employees “the unsung heroes of our schools.” Supporters framed the measure as urging federal action on wages, health benefits, paid family leave and workplace voice for school support staff.
The resolution, sponsored in part by the California Federation of Teachers and supported by the California Labor Federation, the California School Employees Association and SEIU California, passed on a roll-call vote. The Senate recorded 28 ayes and 7 noes; the resolution was adopted.
The floor debate focused on recognition and federal advocacy rather than new state programmatic commitments. The resolution asks federal policymakers to act; it does not create a state entitlement, appropriate funds, or change state law.
The Senate moved on to other business after the vote.
