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PFT President Jerry Jordan, Parkway NW Student Destiny Holley Join National Town Hall on Gun Violence Prevention

December 15, 2021

PHILADELPHIA—This evening, PFT President Jerry Jordan and Parkway Northwest Student Destiny Holley joined a virtual town hall on gun violence. The town hall was moderated by AFT President Randi Weingarten and featured the following panelists:

  • Abbey Clements: Teacher survivor of the Sandy Hook School tragedy and gun violence prevention activist
  • Destiny Holley: 11th grade student, Philadelphia
  • Fred Guttenberg: Parent and founder, Orange Ribbons for Gun Safety, Florida
  • Jerry Jordan: President, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

The town hall was streamed live on PFT's Facebook page

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PFT President Jerry Jordan Testifies at Council Hearing on Facilities Crisis

December 15, 2021 ​​​PHILADELPHIA—Today, in a joint hearing of Council's Committees on Finance and Children & Youth, PFT President Jerry Jordan testified about the School District of Philadelphia's ongoing facilities crisis. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on the Continued Escalation of Violence in Philadelphia

November 29, 2021 PHILADELPHIA—"I am outraged and heartsick that during the last several days, we have seen a further intensification of deadly violence in our beloved city. This afternoon, in broad daylight, while waiting for the bus, a young boy of only 14 years old was gunned down. Just yesterday, a 16 year old boy, Kanye Davis, was slain after being shot at least 8 times. Also yesterday, 21 year old Temple student Samuel Sean Collington was gunned down in an attempted robbery. All were students with their whole lives ahead of them, whose families, friends, and communities of loved ones are now left enduring the trauma of their loss. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on the Ongoing Scourge of Violence in Philadelphia

November 23, 2021 On the ongoing crisis of violence, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"The level of loss, heartbreak, and of lives stolen and cut short due to the ongoing scourge of violence in Philadelphia is simply horrific. A multi-pronged approach to this emergency is desperately needed, and we need additional supports in our schools to provide needed resources for our young people. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on the House Passage of Build Back Better

November 19, 2021 PHILADELPHIA—"The Build Back Better act is a really big deal for Philadelphians, for Pennsylvanians, and for the entire nation. Quite frankly, it is a transformative bill that should serve as a very clear indicator that President Biden's agenda is strong, forward thinking, and driven by a deep commitment to bettering the lives of millions of people.  "It is hard to overstate the impact this bill will have on Pennsylvanians. In many ways, it is a culmination of years of advocacy efforts. We have, year after year, fought tirelessly for the programs and services that BBB delivers. And yet, we should also see this as a new beginning-- an opportunity and obligation to do better, to do more, and to press forward.  "I thank the members of the Philadelphia delegation who voted in favor of the bill. Despite Kevin McCarthy's most unhinged efforts to stymie free Pre-K and the entire bill, the will of the people prevailed today. I urge the Senate to immediately consider BBB and swiftly move it to the President's desk. The time is now. MORE

PFT Testimony at Council Hearing on Facilities, Presentation of Letters Concerning Crisis

November 5, 2021

PHILADELPHIA—Today, PFT President Jerry Jordan and PFT Health & Welfare's Director of Environmental Science Jerry Roseman delivered testimony before City Council's License and Inspection Committee. They spoke in favor of Councilmember Derek Green's Bill 210865, which would create a series of oversight mechanisms geared towards addressing the School District's ongoing mismanagement of the facilities crisis.

In his testimony, Jerry Jordan shared a series of letters exchanged regarding the crisis. 

First, Jordan shared an October 15th letter he issued to Dr. Hite addressing our

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