WHO: Thousands of educators and labor union members, parents, students, faith & community groups and elected leaders
WHEN: Thursday, October 16 – Gather at 4 p.m., rally begins at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Outside school district office 440 N. Broad, Philadelphia, PA
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The Philadelphia School Reform Commission ambushed Philly’s teachers, and has been lying ever since… It’s time for our community’s BIGGEST RESPONSE!
Do not allow an unelected board to play politics with the education system and throw out bargained contracts. Rally this Thursday, (Oct. 16) 4:00 p.m., 440 North Broad, Street, Philadelphia, PA. |
Background
Last year, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers offered concessions in healthcare savings of $24 million and across the board pay freezes of $10 million.
The district refused to accept this offer, choosing instead to press for “work rule” changes, such as removing language in the contract that set class size limits; and removing the requirement that every school have at least one counselor.
On Oct. 6, 2014, the School Reform Commission called a last-minute meeting to announce that it will try to cancel the PFT’s contract, changing not only contribution levels to healthcare but also the healthcare coverage itself, reneging on its responsibility to fund dental and vision coverage for this fiscal year.
Join PFT President Jerry Jordan and the Philadelphia community to call for respect on Thursday, Oct. 16 in Philadelphia. “This is not an effort by the SRC to address the fiscal crisis,” said Jordan. “This is the Corbett Administration’s attempt to vilify the PFT in order distract from his horrible record on education funding and boost his chances of re-election. [This] action is a last-ditch effort by the Corbett Administration to weaken the standing of our educators with Philadelphia’s parents and community members.”
News:
SRC imposes terms on Philly teachers’ union and sets off a ‘war’, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/6
Philadelphia Teachers Outraged After Union Contract Canceled by Unelected Reformers, In These Times, 10/8
