Press

February 5, 2021

"Other than sheer cruelty and a callous disregard for the lives of educators and school staff, I can't think of another reason to push forward with a reckless plan to reopen unsafe buildings for thousands of staff on Monday.

"As we await further information from the neutral third party, I have advised my membership that they should continue to work remotely on Monday. In fact, they will be able to provide more time in front of students by doing this. Further, it is important to remember that this half baked reopening plan means that fewer than 1/3 of eligible students have even chosen the hybrid option.

February 4, 2021

School buildings are scheduled to reopen on Monday, and I am unable to assure their safety for reoccupancy. It's that simple. Health and safety of the educators and students of Philadelphia is paramount. Despite ongoing discussions with the School District, we do not believe safety conditions outlined by the MOA have been met. As such, I have called for the intervention of the neutral third party, as indicated by our negotiated agreement.

January 15, 2021

In response to new reporting showing that Jeffrey Yass funded efforts to overturn the 2020 election, AFT Pennsylvania President Arthur Steinberg, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan, and Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers President Nina Esposito-Visgitis issued the following statement...

January 14, 2021

January 6, 2021

PHILADELPHIA— In response to the coup attempt in Washington, D.C., PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

“I’m disgusted and sickened by the domestic terrorism unfolding at the US Capitol. In an extraordinarily dangerous and volatile situation, a group of primarily white seditionists are attempting a coup, and this disgraceful display speaks so profoundly to how broken our society is.

December 1, 2020

This afternoon, PFT President Jerry Jordan delivered testimony before City Council in opposition to Bill 200366, which would delay changes to the 10-year tax abatement.

November 17, 2020

PHILADELPHIA— In response to the University of Pennsylvania’s announcement of a $100M pledge to remediate District facilities issues, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

“This is an extraordinary day for our schoolchildren and educators. Because of University of Pennsylvania’s $100 Million pledge, students and staff will be safer and healthier in their school buildings, and that’s exactly why we do the work we do each day.

November 10, 2020

In response to the School District of Philadelphia’s announcement to remain virtual, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: “The decision to remain fully virtual for the foreseeable future will save lives. The science of COVID-19, paired with the massive ventilation and other facilities issues throughout the District, makes it clear: returning to school buildings, in any capacity, is unsafe right now."

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."

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."