Press | Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT President Jerry Jordan Joins President Biden, Vice President Harris, Advocates, Survivors at White House Following Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Signing

July 11, 2022

WASHINGTON, DC—This morning, PFT President Jerry Jordan joined President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, AFT President Randi Weingarten, advocates, families & survivors at the White House following the June signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

The event, held on the South Lawn of the White House, included survivors and families of recent mass shootings in the United States, was a poignant reflection on the scourge of gun violence in this nation. The devastation wrought by gun violence permeates communities across the country, and at every level of government

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Passage of PA Budget

July 8, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—Responding to the passage of the PA budget in the General Assembly, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: "I am pleased by much in the budget--but equally concerned by how many missed opportunities and misguided priorities are reflected in the final education code bills. "Further, I am disgusted by efforts by Pennsylvania Republicans to enact an abortion ban and racist voter ID laws. Full statement on these efforts here. "The historic increase in education funding, including a $525 million increase in basic education funding and a $225 million increase in level up funding (which will move funding towards the districts that need it most), is good news. Additionally, we are pleased by increases to mental health services, and language around increasing teacher diversity, an increase in CTE funding, and increase in library funding, and language around disability inclusive curriculum. "However, the budget simultaneously increases voucher funding by an outrageous 41%, pouring an additional $115 million into a program that is essentially a corporate tax break at the expense of our young people. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on President Biden's Executive Order on Reproductive Health

July 8, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—Responding to President Joe Biden's efforts to safeguard abortions, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: "In the wake of SCOTUS' reprehensible decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and in light of the PA Republicans' nefarious efforts to outlaw abortion in Pennsylvania (underway right now), I am grateful that President Biden is taking important steps today to safeguard a woman's right to abortion access. The President's executive order today, which includes access to medication for abortion among a host of other measures, demonstrates important leadership when we desperately need it. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on PA Senate Republicans' Eleventh Hour Efforts to Ban Abortion

July 8, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—Responding to the PA Senate Republicans' efforts to ban abortion in the Commonwealth, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: "I am outraged and disgusted by the nefarious scheme that the PA Senate Republicans are carrying out in the State Capitol. While most of Pennsylvania was asleep last night, Senate Republicans unveiled a last ditch effort to ban abortion in the Commonwealth. "It is a cruel form of irony to claim to protect ‘life’ while believing that this obligation begins and ends before the birth of a child. MORE

Legislative Memo: Opposition to Abortion Ban

July 7, 2022 To: Members of the General Assembly From: Jerry T. Jordan, President Re: Opposition to Abortion Ban It is a cruel form of irony to claim to protect ‘life’ while believing that this obligation begins and ends before the birth of a child. I am outraged by the General Assembly’s move to ban abortion in the Commonwealth via constitutional amendment. The General Assembly should be laser focused on investing in programs and services (including women’s healthcare) that support our communities. The proposed abortion ban is the latest in a series of horrific proposals emanating from the state legislature, and it must be roundly rejected. MORE

Reflections After a Tragic Fourth

Message to PFT Members

July 6, 2022

Dear Members,

In the wake of a tragic fourth of July, I write today to share some reflections on the state of our nation.

Our nation is once again reeling from the horror of a deadly mass shooting. There are no words that could possibly suffice when, amidst a celebratory parade, seven people were murdered and dozens more injured. My thoughts and my deepest sympathies are with those who suffered an unbearable loss in the mass shooting in Illinois.

Further, right here in our beloved city, two police officers were shot amidst the festivities on the Ben Franklin

PFT Congratulates Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

June 30, 2022

Image Credit: AFL-CIO

PFT President Jerry Jordan upon the swearing in of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court:

"Today, we watched as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the US Supreme Court. Amidst so many challenges our society is facing, this was truly refreshing and a moment to pause and reflect on the history of this moment.

"As I shared in my statement upon her confirmation, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is immensely qualified, and her confirmation represents an historic moment. Justice Brown Jackson is the first Black woman justice of the SCOTUS, and

PFT Protests PA General Assembly's Bigoted Legislation

June 30, 2022

The Republican controlled State Legislature continues its destructive and bigoted path. This week, the State Senate passed a series of racist, anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, including an Anti-trans bill (SB972), a Book Banning bill (SB1277), and a Don't Say Gay bill (SB1278). As I said in my statement here, shame on the Republicans who are pushing forth this bigoted agenda.

Yesterday, PFT members Gemayel Keyes, Kate Sundeen, and Benjamin Hover spoke powerfully at a coalition press conference hosted by District Attorney Larry Krasner outside of CAPA. Watch the powerful event right here.

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PFT Protests Overturning of Roe V. Wade

June 2022

PFT joined the city and nation in outrage at SCOTUS' decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. As PFT President Jerry shared in his statement following the disgraceful ruling denying women the healthcare they need, "Banning abortions will not stop abortions. But it will make abortion unsafe and illegal. It means that women experiencing poverty, especially Black and brown women, will be especially vulnerable amidst an already rigged system." Jordan continued, "Before our eyes, we are watching the horror of a group of right-wing extremists hurtling our nation rapidly towards authoritarianism

PFT President Jerry Jordan on PA Senate's Passage of Bigoted Legislation

June 29, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—In response to the Republican controlled PA State Senate passing an Anti-trans sports bill, a Book Banning bill, and a Don't Say Gay bill, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: "Shame on Pennsylvania Republicans who continue to lead with bigotry and hatred. "I am disgusted by the State Senate's passage today of an Anti-trans bill (SB972), a Book Banning bill (SB1277), and a Don't Say Gay bill (SB1278). MORE