The CAT (Contract Action Team) network is the basic building block of our union. It is our most powerful organizing tool to increase member engagement at all levels of UC-AFT.
Individual CATs are active member leaders within UC-AFT who take responsibility for a group of colleagues who are members of their bargaining unit (Unit 17 librarians or Unit 18 Teaching Faculty), typically within their department or program. This group is called their turf.
CATs help their turf members connect with union resources and act as their point of contact between their turf and other committees and decision-making bodies within our union. CATs play a crucial role in:
- Mutual Aid – Our union is at its base a community of care: we care for our students, our campuses, our families, and each other and that solidarity makes shared governance and collective action possible. CATs help their colleagues access support, navigate review and promotion processes, and understand their rights at work.
- Democracy – A strong CAT network is crucial to a vital democratic culture of our union. CATs are trained to listen and facilitate conversations, both 1:1 and small groups, that shape our union at the local and state level.
- Power – When the CAT network is strong, our union is better able to mobilize and build power in our contract campaigns.
You don’t need any prior experience to become a CAT! The role involves welcoming new people into our community, forwarding emails, building a responsive network, and attending occasional meetings. Fellow CATs and UC-AFT members also conduct weekly and monthly trainings and workshops to sharpen your skills. Sign up for one below!
