SOLIDARITY WITH PHILADELPHIA EDUCATORS, PARENTS, COMMUNITY AND STUDENTS

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has cut $1 billion from education statewide; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia in spring 2013 closed 24 schools and laid off more than 3,700 school personnel, including counselors, school nurses and certified librarians and has in the months since hired back only about 1,000 of these employees; and

WHEREAS, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is in contract negotiations with the school district, with the district demanding wage cuts up to 13 percent, despite the fact that the PFT has offered to freeze wages for a year and to contribute to its healthcare plan; and

WHEREAS, the continuing cuts to Philadelphia school services and demands for ever-higher concessions from the teachers union threaten to undermine the education received by children in the Philadelphia public schools:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will join in supporting the PFT's work to secure a contract that is good for students and fair for teachers; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support the PFT's call for a restoration of all money cut from public education in the city; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT extends solidarity to our brothers and sisters in Philadelphia.