Press

PHILADELPHIA (June 25, 2025) – Leaders of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), School District of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia Board of Education visited the state Capitol on Wednesday to fight for a strong budget package to address decades of systemic underfunding and to provide oversight and accountability of skyrocketing spending obligations on cyber charter schools.

PFT President Arthur G. Steinberg, Superintendent Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr., and Board of Education President Reginald L. Streater, Esq., met with Governor Josh Shapiro's administration and key lawmakers to press

PHILADELPHIA (June 17, 2025) – In a 94% to 6% vote, members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers overwhelmingly supported a motion to authorize the PFT Executive Board to take appropriate action should the union and School District of Philadelphia fail to reach a contract agreement by August 31, 2025.

With a one-year extension of the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on the last day of August, PFT President Arthur Steinberg called a special membership meeting on Tuesday to provide an overview of the status of contract negotiations with the District. Following

PHILADELPHIA (June 12, 2025) – Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President Arthur G. Steinberg on Thursday urged the Board of Education to exercise its authority to support the School District of Philadelphia's efforts to control costs and win increases in state funding necessary to avoid a projected structural deficit in 2027. Following are President Steinberg's remarks as prepared for delivery at Thursday's Board meeting:

"My name is Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, which represents 14,000 unionized educators who work in the School District of

PHILADELPHIA (May 29, 2025) – Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President Arthur G. Steinberg on Thursday issued the following statement on the Philadelphia Board of Education’s vote to approve a new charter school, following a 7-year unofficial moratorium on charter expansion in Philly:

“I am outraged by the Board of Education’s irresponsible decision today to approve a new charter school. At a time when the School District of Philadelphia continues to beg for adequate funding, as well as badly overdue state legislative reforms for cyber and charter schools, today’s vote was a betrayal

PHILADELPHIA (May 7, 2025) – Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President Arthur G. Steinberg on Wednesday issued the following statement on a violent incident outside of Overbrook High School during which a Philadelphia Police officer was shot and hospitalized:

“We are horrified by the violence that occurred outside of Overbrook High School today. Our thoughts are with the Philadelphia Police officer who was shot; may their recovery be swift and complete. As educators, the physical violence among young people that the officer was attempting to quell was devastating to witness.

“At this

PHILADELPHIA (March 4, 2025) – Members of the 1.8 million-strong American Federation of Teachers in communities stretching from Philadelphia to Allegheny counties took part in a national day of action to inform and activate members of the public about looming federal education cuts that would hurt Pennsylvania students. Nearly 90% of K-12 students in Pennsylvania are enrolled in public schools, many of which benefit from funding and programmatic support from the U.S. Department of Education.

In the face of illegal cuts to U.S. Department of Education programs and funding and a stated promise to

PHILADELPHIA (February 4, 2025) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President Arthur Steinberg on Governor Josh Shapiro's 2025-2026 budget address:

“Governor Shapiro’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal seeks to make good on long-standing commitments that Philadelphia public school students, families, and staff are counting on. We’re pleased to see Governor Shapiro pledge deeper investments in Pre-K programs, early childcare, affordable housing, and family-sustaining work – all of which will meaningfully improve the lives of children at home, thereby

PHILADELPHIA (January 14, 2025) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President Arthur Steinberg on the reported homicide of a 17-year-old student who attended Fels High School:

“We are devastated that senseless gun violence has claimed the life of another Philadelphia public school student. Every child deserves the freedom to learn, mature, and thrive without the threat of violence.

“Our thoughts are with the survivors of the 17-year-old child who was reportedly killed near his home in Feltonville this morning. We also extend our sympathies and support to the

PHILADELPHIA (January 7, 2025) – Following is a statement from Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) and AFT Pennsylvania, on the start of the 208th legislative session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

“Today, members of the General Assembly swore an oath before their families and communities to support, obey, and defend the constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The swearing-in ceremony is always a highlight of the legislative session because of the palpable collegiality, sense of purpose, and optimism in the House

PHILADELPHIA (November 20, 2024) – Following is a statement from Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), on Tuesday's stabbing of two employees at Castor Gardens Middle School:

"The stabbing on Tuesday of two Castor Gardens Middle School employees by a student is a tragedy that could have been prevented. This horrific incident is yet another example of how systemic disinvestment robs our schools of the resources necessary to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.

"While we continue to gather information about events leading up to yesterday’s