Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

Update on Vaccine Mandate, Safe Back to School

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

PFT President Jerry Jordan on New CDC Guidance for Schools

7-9-21

PHILADELPHIA—"We continue to look forward to a full reopening of in person instruction in the fall. From a cursory review of the new CDC guidance, the PFT is encouraged that the guidance not only recognizes the importance of local decision making but also recognizes the importance of continued mitigation measures. These measures include but are not limited to adequate ventilation, testing, and mask use for unvaccinated individuals.

"This union remains committed to ensuring a full, five day a week, in person program for all of our young people. And we are committed to ensuring that it

Jerry Jordan to PFT Members: This year's budget is a "woefully inadequate failure."

6-26-21

This afternoon, PFT President Jerry Jordan shared the following with PFT members:

Dear PFT Members,

Our fight for fair and equitable education funding continues. And this year's budget, finished by the State Legislature last evening, did very little to get us there. It was a woefully inadequate budget that, amidst a $10B surplus in the state's coffers, passed up this potentially once in a lifetime opportunity to make serious investment in public education.

Instead, elected officials decided to put more money in their coffers to save for a 'rainy day.' This is an abject failure, and to call

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Shameful School Code Legislation

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6-25-21

PHILADELPHIA—This afternoon, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued an updated legislative memo in response to the woefully inadequate "School Code" bill under consideration in Harrisburg.

President Jordan wrote, in part, "The PFT is deeply disappointed and concerned about the myriad failures in the current school code bill (SB381 A02135). This bill is, quite simply, shameful."

Legislative Memo: Opposition to School Code

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To: Members of the PA State Senate

From: Jerry Jordan

Re: OPPOSITION TO SCHOOL CODE (SB381)

The PFT is deeply disappointed and concerned about the myriad failures in the current school code bill (SB381 A02135). This bill is, quite simply, shameful.

It’s shameful in what it does, and it is shameful in what it does not do.

New PFT Gear Store!

Our new PFT gear store is now LIVE! We're starting with five great items, and will be adding more as we go. The more purchases we have, the more gear we will be able to add.