August 26, 2021 PHILADELPHIA—"The situation unfolding at Masterman is emblematic of the years of systemic refusal to provide the PFT, our members, and our communities with accurate, timely, and detailed information pertaining to the health and safety of our school buildings. It is exactly why the PFT not only has been the founder and driving force behind the Fund Our Facilities Coalition, but also have spent years not only defining the facilities crisis but also identifying real solutions. In our May report, we again outlined the severity of this crisis district-wide and pointing to specific actions the District must take to bring about urgently needed change. MORE

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

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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

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