Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT President Jerry Jordan Urges House Vote on Build Back Better, Infrastructure Bills

November 3, 2021 PHILADELPHIA—"The President's agenda has been clear since day one: historic, transformative investments in programs and services that make a difference in people's lives. The framework for President Biden's Build Back Better plan, paired with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, is a down payment on that plan. "The time to vote on the Build Back Better plan is now. "In Pennsylvania, passage of the BBB plan means real, tangible investments in programs for children and families that we have been fighting for for years: *Childcare for over 730,000 children up to age five *Free, quality preschool for an additional 204,000 children *Extension and expansion of Child Tax Credit for hundreds of thousands of children "The program does not stop there. It is a massive expansion of affordable healthcare, an investment in affordable housing, and a potentially transformative investment in tackling the urgent issue of climate change. Further, we urge the House to add back in the much needed paid leave provisions. MORE

PSLF Overhaul: What it means for you!

Does this settlement apply to you? If you have worked in public service for 10 years or more and made 10 years of payments on your student loans, you are likely eligible to have your debt discharged under PSLF. Even if you were denied PSLF in the past OR your loan servicer said you do not qualify, under this settlement, your application will be reconsidered. MORE

PFT Contract & Salary Schedule

PFT-School District of Philadelphia Collective Bargaining Agreement 2021-2024 (PDF)

Tip: Press Control+F (or Command+F for Macs) on your keyboard to search the contract.

The searchable contract is organized by chapters, called Articles, which have titles to help you find the information you need. Articles have Sections and Sub-Sections, and at the end of the contract is a lengthy Index to help locate specific information. The contract also includes Side Letters, which amplify or explain additional agreements between the PFT and District, Appendices and Salary Schedules.

Salary Schedules

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With this smartphone application, school staff will be able to submit real-time descriptions and images of problems they see in their buildings directly to the PFT. We will be sharing these submissions with the District, and tracking the progress of repairs.

A Guide to the PFT Healthy Schools Tracker App

What is the app? Is it free? What kind of information can be submitted?

The PFT Healthy Schools Tracker Mobile App allows users to identify and report specific problems with building conditions in schools.
Conditions such as

New PFT Report: COVID Safety Protocols and Necessary Course Corrections

September 21, 2021 PHILADELPHIA—In response to numerous concerns reported by school nurses, teachers, and other school staff, the PFT issued two surveys to analyze the issues and offer recommendations based on feedback from school nurses and our entire membership. One survey, which took place from September 14-20, 2021, was a member-wide survey completed by 4,250 members. The second survey, for school nurses only, took place from September 15-20, 2021 and was completed by 97 school nurses. The responses are a glaring indication that a series of course corrections, including those for which we have previously advocated, must be immediately implemented. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Urgent Mold Issue at Frankford High School, District's Refusal to Allow Access to Evaluate

After PFTHW director of environmental science Jerry Roseman was denied access to Frankford High School to evaluate an urgent mold growth situation, which PFT brought to the District's attention, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement MORE