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Press

For press inquiries, contact: 

Jane Roh, Communications Director
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
o: 215-587-6738
c: 267-648-5166
email: jroh@pft.org


PFT PRESIDENT JERRY T. JORDAN ON THE MURDER OF 16-YEAR-OLD SEMAJ FIELDS

Following the double shooting in East Germantown that claimed the life of 16-year-old Semaj Fields and injured another teen, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA-- "I’m heartsick by the loss of Semaj Fields, a freshman at Ben Franklin High School, gunned down with his whole life ahead of him. My condolences are once again wholly insufficient in this time of profound loss. But for all who knew and loved Semaj, and for the entire Ben Franklin community, I offer my deepest sympathies.

"For the student injured in the same shooting, I share my thoughts and

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PFT PRESIDENT JERRY T. JORDAN ON ONGOING SCOURGE OF GUN VIOLENCE

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March 6, 2024

"Our young people deserve so much more. They deserve so much better. The scourge of gun violence must end. We need common-sense gun reform, and we need true investment in our communities."

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PFT Members Ratify One-Year Contract Extension

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March 6, 2024

At a ratification meeting on March 6, PFT Members voted overwhelmingly to approve a Tentative Agreement to a one-year contract extension.

As per the PFT constitution, members present at the meeting voted on the agreement, and the results were as follows:

2096 YES (84%)

399 NO (16%)

On the approval of the one-year extension, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan said, 


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PHILADELPHIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

February 28, 2024

PHILADELPHIA--The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and School District of Philadelphia are thrilled to jointly announce the settlement of a Tentative Agreement (TA) to a one-year contract extension to the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 

The Tentative Agreement is a milestone for both the Union and the District, and it represents a significant investment in the dedicated educators and support staff that, with care and expertise, help shape future generations. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington and PFT President Jerry Jordan have both expressed their shared goal of not just saying they value educators--but showing them.

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PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN JOINS SENATOR VINCENT HUGHES FOR PRESS CONFERENCE ON TEACHER RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

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February 26, 2024

This morning, at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, PFT President Jerry Jordan joined Senator Vincent Hughes and a coalition of labor leaders, elected officials, high school and college students, teachers and staff to sound the alarm on the teacher shortage.

President Jordan's prepared remarks are available here.

A short video of President Jordan's remarks along with several photos from the event are available here.

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PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO'S BUDGET ADDRESS

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PHILADELPHIA--"I applaud Governor Josh Shapiro for his focus on rectifying Pennsylvania's unconstitutional system of funding public education. For years, we have fought tirelessly to ensure that students and staff have the resources they need and deserve to thrive. While we have seen increases in funding over the past several years, we now have a court ruling that, with finality, states that the way we fund public education in our Commonwealth is unconstitutional (and indeed, immoral). 


"By implementing the Governor's plan, we have a chance to invest nearly $1.1 Billion i

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Inquirer Exclusive: Here’s what leaders say about Jerry Jordan, who’s retiring as PFT president : ‘He’s the kind of guy you want to be the one taking care of you forever’

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The Inquirer's Kristen Graham continued her coverage of PFT President Jerry Jordan's retirement with interviews of members, staff, elected officials, and labor leaders.


The online coverage of Jordan's retirement also includes a photo gallery of Jordan through the years (not to be missed!).


Here's what many who knew and have worked with PFT President Jerry Jordan for years had to say about his leadership:

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Exclusive Inquirer Report: Jerry Jordan, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president, is retiring after 37 years with the union

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January 17, 2024

In an exclusive interview with The Inquirer's Kristen Graham, PFT President Jerry Jordan discussed his tenure with the union and his upcoming retirement. The Inquirer's coverage included an in-depth article as well as the reactions of those who have known and worked with Jerry for years, including elected officials, labor leaders, and PFT members and staff.

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BREAKING: PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ANNOUNCES JUNE 30TH RETIREMENT

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January 16, 2024

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ANNOUNCES JUNE 30TH RETIREMENT, WILL COMPLETE TERM

ARTHUR STEINBERG WILL BE ELECTED PRESIDENT; TERM WILL BEGIN JULY 1ST

PHILADELPHIA--In an email communication to PFT members this evening, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan announced that he did not seek reelection as head of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. 

President Jerry T. Jordan, who has served as PFT President since 2007, will work diligently to serve the remainder of his term in advance of his June 30th retirement. 

In his message to

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PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING COMMISSION

January 11, 2024

Following the release of the Basic Education Funding Commission report, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA--"I applaud the Basic Education Funding Commission for their bipartisan commitment to examining school funding inequities in our Commonwealth, and specifically the Democratic committee members and individuals representing Governor Shapiro's administration for laying out a plan that addresses many of the inequities that we have shined a light on for years.

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