**PRESS RELEASE**

AFT PENNSYLVANIA URGES CAUTION ON REOPENING SCHOOLS

Plymouth Meeting, PA, January 8, 2021—On behalf of its 36,000 members and 61 locals, AFT Pennsylvania President Arthur G. Steinberg on Friday released the following statement urging the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health and Department of Education to use caution after new guidance issued by Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine encourages districts to resume in-person learning.

“It is troubling to see Pennsylvania’s chief public health official, and someone whom I greatly respect, issue guidance encouraging

Report non-compliance here

Plymouth Meeting, PA, December 21, 2020—On behalf of its 36,000 members and 61 locals, AFT Pennsylvania on Monday released a webform for educators, staff, students, parents, and community members to report non-compliance with the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health’s November 24, 2020 Order Directing Public School Entities in Counties with Substantial Community Transmission to Attest to Health and Safety Protocols.

“While Pennsylvania’s largest school districts have responsibly moved to a fully remote instruction model, it is imperative that districts continuing in-person

Millions of Pennsylvanians have already requested a mail in or absentee ballot, and many have already even completed them and have cast their vote. And we hope you're one of them! If not, we've got you covered.

Option 1: Vote by Mail

We're sure you've heard plenty about voting by mail this election. But, despite the lies and disinformation surrounding Vote By Mail, it's safe, secure, and your vote will be counted (albeit not until 8pm on November 3rd). And, given that there will be fewer polling locations open than in years past, there may be long lines. Avoid the lines and vote by mail!

The

List as of October 18, 2020.

Statewide Endorsements

Auditor General: Nina Ahmad

Congressional Endorsements

Pennsylvania General Assembly Candidate Endorsements

Context

The unrest unfolding across the nation is borne out of centuries of a society founded on racism, a society rooted in the notion that black and brown people have to, time and again, prove their humanity. The murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police is another searing example of the criminalization of blackness in America, and it is emblematic of the profound injustice that permeates nearly every aspect of our society. The story of this unrest is not the broken windows. We cannot and will not be distracted from the root cause, from the cries of pain.

The story of this

Harrisburg, PA, Friday, March 27, 2020— AFT Pennsylvania President Arthur G. Steinberg, on Friday, issued the following statement after Governor Wolf signed SB751, a bill to provide regulatory relief to school districts, educators:

“I applaud Governor Wolf’s quick and decisive action in signing of SB751 today. At a time when educators, students, and their families are facing great uncertainty, this bill provides much-needed guidance and assuredness.

“In an effort to move COVID-19 education relief as quickly as possible, Senators amended SB751 to include measures needed immediately. Therefore, in