Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
Name	Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
Founded	1960s
Affiliation	American Federation of Teachers
Location country	United States
Headquarters	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Key people	Jerry Jordan, Jerry P. Jordan
Members	teachers, paraprofessionals, clinicians

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is a labor union representing educators and school staff in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization negotiates collective bargaining agreements with the School District of Philadelphia and engages with municipal and state officials on staffing, compensation, and policy. It participates in local and national labor coalitions and provides professional development and legal support to members.

History

The organization emerged during a wave of labor activism in the 1960s influenced by entities such as the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the AFL–CIO, and civil rights-era unions like the United Auto Workers and the United Farm Workers. Early interactions involved city institutions including the School District of Philadelphia and municipal leaders such as the Mayor of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia City Council. Prominent labor events and figures that intersected with the union's history include negotiations and strikes contemporaneous with the New York City teachers' strike of 1968, the policy debates around the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and campaigns linked to national leaders in labor such as Albert Shanker and organizations like the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Conflicts and agreements shaped by litigation in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and policy shifts from the Pennsylvania General Assembly influenced bargaining frameworks and membership rights.

Organization and Governance

The union's governance parallels structures found in unions such as the Service Employees International Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with an executive board, elected officers, and local chapter presidents representing worksites like Central High School (Philadelphia), Benjamin Franklin High School (Philadelphia), and district special programs. Key governance interactions occur with institutions including the Philadelphia School Reform Commission (historically), the Philadelphia Board of Education, and state entities such as the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Elected officers have engaged with national federations including the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers and have attended conventions alongside labor leaders from unions like the United Federation of Teachers.

Membership and Demographics

Membership includes classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, school nurses, counselors, and related service personnel drawn from neighborhoods across Philadelphia such as Kensington, Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Philadelphia, and South Philadelphia, Philadelphia. Demographic makeup reflects city patterns noted in censuses by the United States Census Bureau and is affected by citywide trends involving institutions like the Philadelphia Housing Authority and regional employers such as Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania. Membership categories align with professional credentials recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of State and certifications administered through programs connected to universities like Drexel University and La Salle University.

Collective Bargaining and Labor Actions

Collective bargaining with employer representatives such as the School Reform Commission (historical), the School District of Philadelphia, and city officials has produced agreements on salaries, class size, and benefits that mirror negotiations seen in the Chicago Teachers Union, the Los Angeles Unified School District bargaining rounds, and the Detroit Federation of Teachers. Notable labor actions have included strikes, work-to-rule campaigns, and demonstrations invoking attention from elected officials including members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania and state legislators in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Legal and arbitration proceedings have referenced case law from courts such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and state tribunals like the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.

Political Activity and Advocacy

The union engages in electoral politics, lobbying, and coalition-building with groups like the AFL–CIO, MoveOn.org, community organizations including the Philadelphia Association of Community Organizations and civil rights groups such as the NAACP local chapters. It endorses candidates for offices ranging from Mayor of Philadelphia to the Philadelphia City Council and works on ballot measures and state legislation involving the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Advocacy campaigns connect with national policy debates led by figures and institutions like U.S. Secretary of Education nominees, congressional delegations such as the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, and advocacy organizations including the Economic Policy Institute.

Programs and Services

Programs include professional development, legal representation, and member benefits coordinated with organizations such as the American Federation of Teachers member services, joint ventures with universities like the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, and partnerships with nonprofits such as the Philadelphia Education Fund. Services for members cover certification assistance tied to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, health and retirement guidance in coordination with entities like the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System, and community outreach collaborating with agencies such as Philadelphia Works and local philanthropic institutions like the William Penn Foundation.

Category:Trade unions in Pennsylvania Category:Education trade unions in the United States