Press | Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT President Jerry Jordan on the Mass School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas

May 24, 2022 "The news out of Uvalde this afternoon is simply horrifying. Today, because an 18 year old with a gun wreaked devastation on a sacred place of learning, fourteen children and a teacher won’t return home after a day at school—and countless others’ lives will never be whole again. "This level of catastrophic gun violence that continues to tear families apart is simply too much to bear. There are no words that could adequately convey my sadness, my rage and my deepest sympathies for the students, staff, and entire community of Uvalde." MORE

Councilmember Gym's Bill to Effectively Eliminate Lead from Drinking Water in Schools

May 19, 2022 PFTHW Director of Environmental Science Jerry Roseman participated in an important hearing called by Councilmember Gym on her bill which would effectively eliminate lead from drinking water in schools through the installation of additional, functional, and maintained hydration stations. Read more about the hearing here. MORE

Philadelphia City Council Public Comment on Bill No. 210685-AA by AFTPA & PFT

May 19, 2022 Philadelphia City Council Public Comment on Bill No. 210685-AA by AFT Pennsylvania President Arthur G. Steinberg, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry T. Jordan “We thank Councilmember Green and his staff for their work on mandatory asbestos testing and the ‘School Building Safety Advisory Group.’ For decades, our union has been demanding the remediation of toxins like lead, asbestos, and mold from our school buildings, and for decades those calls have largely been met with silence, inaction, or even obfuscation from the School District of Philadelphia. MORE

PFT, AFTPA, AFT File Second Amicus Brief in Landmark Education Trial

PRESS RELEASE

May 19, 2022

PHILADELPHIA—For the second time, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania (AFTPA), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) filed an amicus "friend of the court" brief in support of the landmark school funding trial.

Access our newly filed brief here. Access our 2015 brief here.

Since before the trial's inception and throughout the years of preparation and court hearings, our unions and members have been staunch advocates for the fair funding of public education. Indeed, collectively with the plaintiffs

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Primary 2022 Election Results

May 18, 2022 Reflecting on the 2022 Primary Elections, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"Yesterday was exhilarating--to relish in so many hard-fought victories for progressive champions in Philadelphia and beyond was a reminder of both the progress we have made and the work ahead: "In the state legislature, our message and our fight clearly resonate with voters. The victories of our strong allies Representatives Elizabeth Fiedler (HD184), Rick Krajewski (HD188), and Chris Rabb (HD200) are a testament to not only the power of organizing, but to a round rejection of sinister attempts to buy elections and reject the will of the people. Despite the rejection of these three champions by the Democratic party and despite last-ditch efforts to sully their names and their work, including tens of thousands of dollars poured in by nefarious right-wing organizations, Representatives Fiedler, Krajewski, and Rabb were able to run and win on unapologetic platforms rooted in fighting tirelessly for the communities they represent. We were also pleased to support the reelection campaign of Representative Stephen Kinsey (HD201) and look forward to our continued partnership. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on the Deadly White Supremacist Terrorist Attack in Buffalo

PRESS RELEASE May 15, 2022 "It should horrify and shock any person of conscience that once again, a white supremacist with access to guns targeted and terrorized a predominantly Black community, and in his racist massacre took ten innocent lives—the lives of Buffalo community members shopping for groceries on a Saturday afternoon. "This monstrous act of terrorism is another devastating reminder of the inherent danger of being Black in America. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on the Killing of Juan Carlos Robles-Corana and the Ongoing Scourge of Gun Violence

April 5, 2022

In response to the murder of 15-year-old Juan Carlos Robles-Corana, and the separate shooting that critically injured a 13 year old, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA—"My heart breaks for the Duckrey school community, and especially for the family and loved ones of Juan Carlos Robles-Corana, just 15 years old, who was killed on his way home from school. Our students, our families, and our communities deserve so much more than to live with the constant fear of gun violence. I would be remiss not to include that a 13 year old boy remains in

Dr. King’s assassination while he was in Memphis supporting striking AFSCME workers is an event that is forever etched in my mind as a devastating example of the injustices that Black people have faced in this country for our entire lives.

So on this somber day, let us remember– beyond today, beyond tomorrow– what we must do as a society to truly live up to the legacy of Dr. King.

Let us remember all he fought for, all he accomplished, and what we must all do to carry on that legacy.

In thinking about this legacy and how his work is so intertwined with our ongoing work towards education justice

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Board's Selection of Dr. Tony Watlington as Superintendent

April 1, 2022 In response to the School Board's announcement of their selection of Dr. Tony Watlington as the District's next superintendent, PFT president Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"In choosing Dr. Tony Watlington as Philadelphia's next superintendent, the Board made the right decision. "Dr. Watlington showed a seemingly very sincere commitment to working in a truly collaborative and transparent fashion. He is hailed, in every forum I have seen, as an excellent educator. Further, he appears earnest in his commitment to working as partners with the PFT and other District unions. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Conclusion of Landmark Fair Funding Trial

March 10, 2022

PHILADELPHIA—"As the landmark education lawsuit draws to a close, I am immensely grateful to the tremendous work and dedication of the plaintiffs, activists, and attorneys who have never wavered in their unrelenting pursuit of education justice.

"Throughout this case, attorneys from the Education Law Center and Public Interest Law Center have done a remarkable job illustrating, point by point, the inherent inequity in Pennsylvania's system of school funding. Further, from parents to educators to students, witness after witness offered compelling, heart-wrenching testimony on the