Press
Statement on Governor Wolf’s Announcement of Charter School Reforms
Plymouth Meeting, PA, Tuesday, August 13, 2019 – Arthur Steinberg, President of AFT Pennsylvania, issued the following statement on behalf of the more than 36,000 members of the Commonwealth’s statewide affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers on Tuesday:
“We are very encouraged by Governor Wolf’s announcement today that he will back legislation to address commonsense charter school reforms in Pennsylvania, including transparency requirements, a cap on cyber charter enrollment and a moratorium on new cyber charter schools.
Gov. Wolf announces millions in funding to fix environmental hazards in Philly schools
"Standing in the library of an Overbrook elementary school, Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday announced the state would spend $4.3 million to help remove lead paint from Philadelphia public schools.
Including the millions the state paid last year to complete such projects, that means Pennsylvania has allocated almost $12 million to fixing environmental hazards in the Philadelphia School District.
Kirsch applauds Gov. Wolf's budget
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch applauded the vision and funding in the Governor's 2019-2020 budget proposal.
Strikes and shutdowns
In Los Angeles, UTLA members took to the picket lines because their schools are starved of resources. In Washington, D.C., President Trump has shut down the government to secure his border wall. In her monthly New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten writes that when our elected leaders fail, whether by not funding public schools or by shutting down services that provide for our safety, they strike at the very heart of what makes us a democratic republic. Read the full column.
AFTPA mourns the passing of PSEA President Dolores McCracken
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch released the following statement following the death of a colleague, friend and union counterpart Dolores McCracken, who was president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
AFT leaders offer condolences to Pittsburgh synagogue attack victims, community
AFT leaders in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington offered their condolences in the wake of the mass shooting of 13 congregants at a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning.
Ted Kirsch statement on K2 exposure
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch released the following statement after a member working in a state correctional facility library was exposed to the substance know as K2.
Struggling in a ‘strong’ economy
In her monthly New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten highlights the massive gap between President Trump’s rhetoric and reality. While the well-to-do are doing very well in the current economy, working Americans have been left behind. Weingarten demands leaders take action to benefit all Americans by ensuring accessible, affordable healthcare for all; reining in college debt; and adequately funding public education. Read the full column.
Ted Kirsch: They won't crush the American Dream or enrich themselves with our $$
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch released this statement following the US Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision.
“The Supreme Court's decision makes it clear that unions are not only relevant but indispensable in protecting working people.