PHILADELPHIA (November 12, 2025) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur G. Steinberg on passage of Pennsylvania’s FY2026 budget:

“After an embarrassing and painful four-plus months of gridlock in Harrisburg that forced school districts including Philadelphia’s to take on massive debt just to keep the lights on, I’m relieved that Governor Shapiro and legislative leaders in Harrisburg finally reached an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

“On behalf of the 14,000 educators represented by PFT Local 3, I’m incredibly grateful to the Democratic

PHILADELPHIA (October 9, 2025) – The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3), which represents 14,000 public educators working in the School District of Philadelphia, has endorsed the following jurists for Pennsylvania’s three statewide appellate courts:

• For the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the PFT supports retention of Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht.
• For the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, the PFT endorses Judge Stella Tsai, as well as Judge Michael Wojcik for retention.
• For the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, the PFT endorses Judge Brandon Neuman

Members,

After our September 29th guidance advising you to not sign the District's liability agreement for employee-assigned laptops until our concerns were addressed, we have secured the following revisions to the SDP liability form that will protect you from unfair imposition of costs or other discipline: 

● The agreement cover page will be revised to make it clear that staff will not be charged for stolen or lost laptops when a police report or serious incident report is filed; to allow for lost or stolen laptop replacements to be delivered to schools at the Office of Information Technology’s

PHILADELPHIA (September 25, 2025) – Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) President Arthur G. Steinberg on Thursday issued the following statement on the Board of Education's vote to extend the contract of Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington through June 30, 2030:

"At a time of declining enrollment and political turmoil surrounding school districts across the country, Philly public schools are attracting students and enjoying deep support in their communities. This achievement is the direct result of the labor and dedication of the nearly 14,000 members of PFT Local 3 – and to the

PHILADELPHIA (August 28, 2025) - Tonight, members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) voted to ratify the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the School District of Philadelphia. The agreement, which was announced earlier this week, will be in effect from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028.

“I am thrilled that we were able to secure these truly historic wins for our members, and now that the Agreement has been officially ratified, come Monday, our members will now be protected by our strongest contract yet,” said PFT President Arthur G. Steinberg. “As we