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PFT President Jerry Jordan on Vaccine Mandate, Necessary Course Corrections in Health & Safety Plan

August 24, 2021 In advance of this evening's board vote on a vaccine mandate, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"This union has been very clear from the start-- we support vaccines, and we have been urging every member to get vaccinated. Further, we have expressed our support for a negotiated vaccine mandate. As an AFT Vice President, I helped craft our national position on vaccine mandates. But let us not forget that while a vaccine mandate is warranted and very important, nearly 90% of educators nationwide have been vaccinated. "It is imperative to note that our students in PreK-7 are not yet even eligible for the vaccine. As such, each day, tens of thousands of unvaccinated individuals will be entering our buildings. A multilayered mitigation strategy is absolutely key—vaccines, universal masking, and universal testing. Earlier this month, we shared testimony with the PA House Democratic Policy committee on critical safety measures. MORE

Vaccine Town Hall

Join us Wednesday, August 25 at 7pm!

Register here.

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Back to School Kick Off Events with PHA

Join us as we partner with PHA at two fun back to school events!


Details:

August 19, 11am-2pm | Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center

August 20, 11am-2pm | Vaux High School

Please share these flyers with your school communities!

Download the Blackwell Community Center Flyer right here.

Download the Vaux High School Flyer right here.

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Update on Vaccine Mandate, Safe Back to School

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This morning, PFT President Jerry Jordan offers written testimony to the PA House Democratic Policy Committee on a safe and healthy back to school for students and staff. In it, Jordan outlines key mitigation measures that must be in place and broader issues of infrastructure and funding that underscore so much of the work we do each day. In his testimony, Jordan identifies key areas of concern MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on New CDC Guidance for Schools

7-9-21
 
PHILADELPHIA—"We continue to look forward to a full reopening of in person instruction in the fall. From a cursory review of the new CDC guidance, the PFT is encouraged that the guidance not only recognizes the importance of local decision making but also recognizes the importance of continued mitigation measures. These measures include but are not limited to adequate ventilation, testing, and mask use for unvaccinated individuals.
 
 
"This union remains committed to ensuring a full, five day a week, in person program for all of our young people. And we are committed to ensuring that it
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Jerry Jordan to PFT Members: This year's budget is a "woefully inadequate failure."

6-26-21

This afternoon, PFT President Jerry Jordan shared the following with PFT members:

Dear PFT Members,

Our fight for fair and equitable education funding continues. And this year's budget, finished by the State Legislature last evening, did very little to get us there. It was a woefully inadequate budget that, amidst a $10B surplus in the state's coffers, passed up this potentially once in a lifetime opportunity to make serious investment in public education.

Instead, elected officials decided to put more money in their coffers to save for a 'rainy day.' This is an abject failure, and to call

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