Press

PHILADELPHIA (November 20, 2024) – Following is a statement from Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), on Tuesday's stabbing of two employees at Castor Gardens Middle School:

"The stabbing on Tuesday of two Castor Gardens Middle School employees by a student is a tragedy that could have been prevented. This horrific incident is yet another example of how systemic disinvestment robs our schools of the resources necessary to ensure the health and safety of students and staff. 

"While we continue to gather information about events leading up to yesterday’s

PHILADELPHIA (November 6, 2024) – Following is a statement from Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) and AFT Pennsylvania, on the path forward for educators following the 2024 general election:

“Last night was a startling disappointment and setback for public education, for organized labor, and for our democracy. Like millions of Americans, our members are sad, angry, and frightened for the future of our Commonwealth and our nation.

"As a union of education professionals, we are proud of the historic efforts we made in this election to defend and advance

PHILADELPHIA (September 18, 2024) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) Arthur Steinberg on the School District of Philadelphia and Board of Education’s planning for new, aging, and underpopulated facilities:

“The facilities planning process announced by Board of Education President Reginald Streater is already significantly improved from facilities plans of the past in one respect: The PFT, the largest union representing educators and staff in the School District of Philadelphia, has already received direct and respectful communication about the process.

“The

June 10, 2024

Following a coalition lobby day and the PA House's passage of an historic funding bill for public education, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan released the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA-- "Once again, PA House Democrats have delivered. Their passage of the historic funding bill that would enact a multi-year plan to truly meet this moment is monumental. I commend the House Democratic leadership for their thoughtful and comprehensive approach to implementing a multi-year plan to meet this moment. Speaker Joanna McClinton has been a relentless advocate for public education, and

May 23, 2024

Following a triple shooting this afternoon that injured three, including an 8-year-old student and a teacher, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA-- "I am horrified by another act of senseless gun violence in our city, this time a triple shooting that left three individuals wounded--including an 8-year-old student at Elkin Elementary and a beloved teacher at Conwell Middle School. 

"Our students, staff, and families need and deserve to feel safe--but today, a random shooting shortly after schools dismissed once again showed that so much