Article
- Legislation
Labor blocks vote on bill weakening PA unions
A Janus-related bill (House Bill 785) aimed at weakening public employees' voices and smothering unions in Pennsylvania was voted out of committee but blocked from a vote on the House floor. More post-Janus, anti-union bills possible this session.
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Article
- News
AFTPA endorses Pam Iovino for PA Senate
AFT Pennsylvania has endorsed U.S. Navy Captain (Ret.) Pam Iovino for the PA Senate District 37 seat formerly held by Republican Guy Reschenthaler. Iovino is running in a special election called after Reschenthaler was elected to the U.S. Congress.
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Article
- Press
Kirsch applauds Gov. Wolf's budget
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch applauded the vision and funding in the Governor's 2019-2020 budget proposal.
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Article
- Legislation
PA House-Senate appoint committee chairs
The Pennsylvania House and Senate have named the following legislators as majority and minority chairs of their committees. The retirements and election losses brought major leadership changes to several committees.
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Article
- News
Senate leader drops challenge to Lindsey Williams
PA Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati dropped his challenge to and seated Sen. Lindsey Williams as the elected senator of the north Pittsburgh suburban 38th District. Williams was one of three AFTPA members elected to the state legislature.
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Article
- News
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.
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Article
- Press
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.
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Article
- News
Post-Janus bill would discourage workers from joining unions
The Janus decision is behind us, but some PA lawmakers want laws on the books weakening unions. House Bill 2571 would require employers to notify workers every two weeks that they can drop their union membership.
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Article
- Legislation
Post-Janus, PA lawmakers float bills attacking unions and their members
The Janus decision has emboldened PA lawmakers to propose a several bills aimed squarely at taking down public employee unions and disempowering school and state workers.
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Article
- News
Senate redistricting bill amended ahead of final chamber vote
Lobbyists were banned, diversity reinforced and a three-year registration minimum added to the Senate’s prime redistricting bill Monday as it was prepared for a final vote by lawmakers.
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Article
- News
Congrats! 3 AFT members win PA Primaries
AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch congratulated three AFT members who won their Primary Elections on Tuesday and pledged to work to elect pro-education, pro-worker candidates in November.
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Article
- Press
AFTPA marks the passing of leader Sunny Richman
AFT Pennsylvania marks the passing today of a legendary PFT and PaFT leader, Sunny Richman. AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch was mentored by Ms. Richman and shared his thoughts on her contributions to our union.
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Article
- Locals
Temple Grad Assistants' union OKs 5th contract
In a major victory for Temple University Graduate Student Association, Local 6290 ratified its fifth contract, which includes raises of 2.7% in each of the four years of the contract, plus university-paid healthcare benefits.
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Article
- Legislation
Where we stand: AFTPA opposes ESA/Vouchers
The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee is considering Senate Bill 2 establishing taxpayer-funded education savings accounts, which is another name for vouchers. AFT Pennsylvania opposes ESAs, vouchers, education tax credits and other gimmicks that divert taxpayer money from public schools that serve the majority of Pennsylvania's children to unaccountable private schools and service providers that serve a few students.
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Article
- Legislation
AFTPA opposes arming teachers and staff
AFT Pennsylvania opposes any legislation that would permit school and college faculty and staff to be armed while in classrooms and on campuses. "If educators had wanted careers in law enforcement, we would have enrolled in the Police Academy, instead of a School of Education," said AFTPA President Ted Kirsch. "Our job is to educate children and make their lives better." AFTPA supports commonsense programs and resources to make sure that children are safe while at school and on college campuses. Download AFTPA's position.
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Article
- Press
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.
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Article
- Press
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch urges Republican lawmakers to work with Democrats to draw fair voting maps
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to block PA order to redraw voting maps. AFTPA President Ted Kirsch urges Republican lawmakers to work with Democrats to draw fair voting maps
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