Press | Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

Jerry Jordan Responds to Statements About Paraprofessionals' Pay at September 22 School Board Meeting

September 22, 2022

In response to statements at Thursday evening’s board meeting regarding paraprofessionals' salaries, Jerry Jordan said the following:

"In our recent contract, we made historic gains in the salaries and working conditions of paraprofessionals. This included more than 10% salary increases for the vast majority of paraprofessional support staff. Further, we negotiated a landmark career pathway agreement, winning fully paid college tuition for paras looking to further their education to pursue a career in teaching. For the first time, no member is earning less than $15/hour. But

Yesterday evening, PFT Member Trina Dean and TAUP Member Heather Levi told their stories of student debt forgiveness and urged members to take part in the process. They shared their stories alongside Secretary Miguel Cardona, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, PFT President Jerry Jordan, AFT Pennsylvania President Arthur Steinberg, AFT - American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, and Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO President Pat Eiding, and hundreds of union members!

Student loan relief has been an absolute top priority for the AFT, and years of advocacy is yielding massive results

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Murder of Tiffany Fletcher, Ongoing Crisis of Gun Violence

September 10, 2022 In the wake of the murder of Tiffany Fletcher, killed by a stray bullet while working outside of Mill Creek Recreation Center, and the ongoing scourge of gun violence, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"We grieve for Tiffany Fletcher’s children and all of her loved ones, and for all impacted by this horrific tragedy and by the ongoing devastation of gun violence. For Ms. Fletcher’s life to be cut short because of a stray bullet while she was working at a community recreation center is just unconscionable. To Ms. Fletcher’s family, and to all that knew and loved her, I offer my deepest sympathy on behalf of the PFT. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Shooting Outside Willard Elementary

August 31, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—"Again, Philadelphians woke up to news of more devastation wrought by the ongoing scourge of gun violence. A shooting outside of Willard Elementary School rocked the tight-knit community, leaving three hospitalized, including a 17 year old. "When PFT staff representative Ray Guzman arrived at Willard before the school day began this morning, to provide support for staff and families, he reported seeing a bullet hole through the school window and a bullet impact on the school door. Individuals he spoke with reported feeling scared and overwhelmed. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Biden-Harris Administration's Plan for Student Debt Relief

August 24, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—Responding to the Biden-Harris Administration's student loan forgiveness announcement, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: "Once again, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are delivering on their campaign promises-- this time in the form of major student debt relief that will 'provide more breathing room to America’s working families' as part of a 'comprehensive effort to address the burden of growing college costs and make the student loan system more manageable.' MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan Expresses Solidarity with 32BJ SEIU Members After Their Strike Vote, Urges Swift Settlement of a Fair Contract for Workers

August 22, 2022 Following 32BJ SEIU's strike authorization vote, and amidst their ongoing contract negotiations, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement of support: PHILADELPHIA—"The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers stands united in solidarity with our union siblings at 32BJ SEIU as they work towards the settlement of a fair contract in advance of its August 31st expiration. MORE

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