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Press

For press inquiries, contact: 

Jane Roh, Communications Director
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
o: 215-587-6738
c: 267-648-5166
email: jroh@pft.org


PFT President Arthur Steinberg Statement on Castor Gardens School Stabbing

PFT President Arthur Steinberg speaks to the 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

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PFT, AFTPA Statement on Election Results

Education is our superpower

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

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PFT President Steinberg Statement on SDP Facilities Planning

PFT President Arthur Steinberg

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

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PFT, AFTPA Members Fired Up for Kamala Harris-Tim Walz Ticket

PFT and AFTPA members at a labor canvass for Kamala Harris for President.

PHILADELPHIA (August 6, 2024) – Following is a statement from Arthur Steinberg, president of the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania (AFTPA) and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), on Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate:

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PFT, AFTPA on AFT Endorsement of Kamala Harris for President

AFTPA and PFT delegates at the 2024 AFT Convention in Houston.

HOUSTON (July 22, 2024) – Following is a statement from Arthur Steinberg, president of the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania (AFTPA) and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), on the endorsement by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) of Kamala Harris for President of the United States:

“Delegates to the 2024 AFT convention in Houston, Texas, today overwhelmingly voted to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States. I proudly joined that vote with AFTPA and PFT delegates in favor of this historic nomination. A former prosecutor and U.S. Senator, Vice President Harris would be the first Black and AAPI woman to serve as the Democratic Party nominee. 

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PFT, AFTPA President Arthur Steinberg Statement Thanking President Biden

President Biden with former PFT President Jerry Jordan, PFT and AFTPA President Arthur Steinberg, and AFT President Randi Weingarten.

HOUSTON (July 22, 2024) – Following is a statement from Arthur Steinberg, president of the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania (AFTPA) and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), on President Biden’s decision to not seek re-election:

“President Joe Biden is the most dedicated and impactful champion of workers to have ever occupied the White House. Historians will mark all that President Biden did to protect low-income and middle-class Americans during a global pandemic, and to strengthen and grow their economic trajectories. 

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PFT President Arthur Steinberg on Philly Schools Funding in PA Budget

Philly students rally for fair education funding.

Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg on the approval late Thursday night of the FY 2024-2025 state budget:

“While the final budget package falls short of transformational reform of Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional and inequitable system of funding public education, we are relieved to see a strong one-year increase for the School District of Philadelphia. Real progress has been made in Harrisburg since the prior decade’s perpetual disinvestment of low-wealth districts which forced towns and counties to continuously raise property taxes and fees to fill funding gaps.

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PFT PRESIDENT JERRY T. JORDAN ISSUES FINAL NEWSLETTER TO MEMBERS BEFORE JUNE 30 RETIREMENT

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June 13, 2024

PHILADELPHIA--As the school year comes to a close and PFT President Jerry T. Jordan prepares for his June 30 retirement, he shared his final weekly newsletter with PFT members.

In the e-news, President Jordan reflected on his career and said, "To be able to wake up each day and fight this righteous fight is a blessing."

Jordan also shared with members that an "unwavering belief that a better tomorrow is possible, and that the only way to get there is together" underscores the work he does each day.

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PFT PRESIDENT JERRY T. JORDAN ON PA HOUSE PASSAGE OF HISTORIC FUNDING BILL

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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

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PFT PRESIDENT JERRY T. JORDAN ON SHOOTING THAT INJURED THREE, INCLUDING DISTRICT STUDENT, TEACHER

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

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