PHILADELPHIA (March 13, 2026) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) President Arthur G. Steinberg on the School District of Philadelphia's announcement of school-based staffing cuts to address a long-predicted structural deficit:

​“Over the past month I’ve met with PFT and community members in schools across the City targeted for closure, and there is across-the-board fatigue with perpetual cycles of austerity being inflicted on Philadelphia public schools. Educators and students are sick of being told there’s not enough money to fill staffing

PHILADELPHIA (March 12, 2026) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) President Arthur G. Steinberg on Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposed municipal budget for FY2027:

“Proposed revenue increases from rideshare services and cell phone towers that could raise $12 million annually for public schools are modest, broad, and should not be controversial. Philadelphia cannot continue to grow in population and prosperity without deeper, sustained investment in public education. We are pleased that the Parker Administration acknowledges that fact in its FY2027

PHILADELPHIA (March 4, 2026) – Philly public school educators, city officials, and students and families on Wednesday rallied for Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed education funding package as part of a nationwide AFT Day of Action.

Members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) at Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School welcomed Dr. Jermaine Dawson, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services (representing Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, Sr.); City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Education Chair Isaiah Thomas, and At-Large Member Dr. Nina

PHILADELPHIA (February 26, 2026) – School District of Philadelphia employees, students, and community members urged the Board of Education on Thursday to delay implementation of a plan to close schools and radically disrupt learning in dozens of other schools by co-locating and moving student bodies and programs.

Members of the five unions representing District employees – Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3), which represents more than 14,000 educators; Unite Here Local 634, which represents school cafeteria employees and student climate staff; Teamsters Local 502 (CASA), which

PHILADELPHIA (February 17, 2026) – The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3), which represents more than 14,000 educators in the School District of Philadelphia, will urge City Council on Tuesday to extract all data and methodologies still being withheld by administrators underlying the recommendations of its 10-year Facilities Master Plan (FMP).

During a hearing on the plan held by Council's Committee of the Whole, PFT Chief of Staff LeShawna Coleman and Director of Environmental Science Jerry Roseman will present key finding of the union's review of the FMP.

Following are excerpts