Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

The PFT promotes the use of research-based programs proven to raise student achievement

Image: Teacher with students. "The PFT promotes the use of research-based programs proven to raise student achievement."

The PFT offers professional development to enhance learning environments for students and educators

Image: Educators talking while working on materials. "The PFT offers professional development to enhance learning environments for students and educators."

The PFT represents more than 11,000 dedicated women and men working in Philadelphia public schools today

Image: PFT members and children marching. "The PFT represents more than 11,000 dedicated women and men working in Philadelphia public schools today."

The Long Walk

The Long Walk - PFT president Jerry Jordan takes shows how school closings will impact the safety of many schoolchildren

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Trump Campaign Coming to Philadelphia

November 4, 2020

In advance of the Trump campaign’s planned press conference in Philadelphia, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: “The current occupant of the White House has led by lies, bullying, fear, racism, and hate. His absurd post-election approach is unsurprising yet nevertheless chilling. The fact that his campaign feels the need to bring in its top officials, who like the president himself, have zero credibility, to have a temper tantrum in the cradle of liberty, is just too on the nose. It’s what we’ve seen over the past four years."

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Fatal Police Shooting of Walter Wallace, Jr.

October 22, 2020

Following the fatal shooting of Walter Wallace, Jr. at the hands of Philadelphia Police, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: “I am heartsick, weary, and enraged. Again and again, for far too many, being Black in America has deadly consequences. The video of Walter Wallace, Jr. being shot and killed by Philadelphia police, followed by the guttural screams of his mother running to his fallen body, is too much to bear."

PFT President Jerry Jordan on District’s Proposed Reopening Plan

October 22, 2020

Today, as the School Board meets, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement on the proposed PreK-2 reopening model: “Yesterday, the PFT announced a tentative agreement and outlined the terms of our one year contract extension. While negotiating a one year extension, we simultaneously negotiated a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding health and safety protocol around school building reopening."

PFT President Jerry Jordan on District’s Proposed Reopening Plan

October 14, 2020

Today, following the District’s release of its proposed reopening plan, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: “First and foremost, any reopening plan will be contingent upon health and safety. Period. Any efforts to reopen school buildings without meeting a stringent set of safety criteria will not pass muster, and will be unacceptable. That is why our Union has taken a leading role in developing, identifying, and proposing what criteria must be met in order to reopen buildings. We issued our recommendations in July and have been negotiating with the District regarding the health and safety protocol since then.

September 2, 2020

TODAY: PFT PRES JORDAN JOINS JOIN AFT PRESIDENT WEINGARTEN, CONGRESSMAN BOYLE, MAYOR KENNEY, AFTPA PRESIDENT STEINBERG, SENATOR STREET, COUNCILMEMBERS GYM AND GREEN FOR NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION