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Meet the 2023-2025 AFT Pennsylvania Executive Council

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, leadership elections for AFT Pennsylvania, the state federation of the American Federation of Teachers, were completed as part of the federation’s constitutionally required biennial reorganization. The senior leadership of President Arthur G. Steinberg, Executive Vice President Nina Esposito-Visgitis, and Treasurer LeShawna Coleman were reelected at their convention in Philadelphia, along with a diverse Executive Council slate comprising AFT Pennsylvania locals from across the Commonwealth.

Educators at Pittsburgh Charter School Win Union

PITTSBURGH - Educators at Environmental Charter School here have in December for union representation in an official ballot conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.

A clear majority of ECS teachers and other professionals elected to unionize after signing a petition last month stating their desire to join the American Federation of Teachers. Voter turnout was 100 percent.

ECS teachers, nurses, counselors, social workers, academic coaches and educational assistants will now move to collectively bargain a first contract with their administration that bolsters voice in decision making and

New Foundations Charter School ratifies first union contract

Teachers and support staff at New Foundations Charter School in Philadelphia ratified their first union contract unanimously after 11 months of negotiations. The faculty and staff voted to join the Alliance of Charter School Employees, Local 6056 of the American Federation of Teachers, AFT Pennsylvania, in 2017.

2019 PA Legislative Session Dates

The Pennsylvania Senate and House have announced their session days for the 2019 Regular Legislative Session. Governor Wolf will make his fifth budget address before a joint session of the House and Senate on Tuesday, February 5. The state constitution requires the legislature to pass a budget by June 30.

Coalition fights to raise PA's minimum wage

A coalition of community and labor groups and legislators continued its statewide campaign to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania, arguing that the $7.25 an hour minimum leaves working families with incomes below the poverty line.

Labor helps elect Conor Lamb to Congressional Dist.18

AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch congratulated Conor Lamb, the apparent winner of a tight race for Congressional District 18 in Western PA.

WE WON! PA Supreme Court throws out gerrymandered voters' map

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the Congressional District maps approved by the Republican-controlled legislature in 2011, ruling on Monday (Jan. 22) that the voting districts were gerrymandered to give GOP lawmakers an electoral advantage. "The court's decision is a huge victory that protects voters from being marginalized by a dominant political party. AFTPA is proud to have played a role in protecting the rights of thousands of Pennsylvania voters." AFTPA President Ted Kirsch said.