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 public education at all levels – from pre-K to higher education – and labor organizations like ours. We spent the last several months touting the education wins of the Biden-Harris Administration, and warning of a future without a U.S. Department of Education and fewer protections for workers. And, for the most part, our members held the line.
"One silver lining in last night’s results appears, for now, to be that we will maintain a pro-public education, pro-labor majority in the Pennsylvania House. I thank our members who knocked doors, made phone calls, sent text messages, and engaged in conversations with family and neighbors about the stakes of the election. The Pennsylvania House, along with Governor Shapiro, will be a critical backstop to an activist federal government.
"As dismayed as we may be, the work continues. Our young people still need us to help them become the future engaged citizens of our democracy, our members need us to advocate for them in the halls of power, and our neighbors need us to continue holding together the fabric of our communities in our respective education institutions – from kindergarten to community college and beyond.
"The members of the PFT and AFTPA will not abandon our principles. We will continue to fight for fair and equitable public education funding, for collective bargaining rights, for protections in our workplaces, for college affordability, for the freedom to teach honest history, and to protect vulnerable communities."
