Kirsch applauds Gov. Wolf's budget
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch applauded the vision and funding in the Governor's 2019-2020 budget proposal.
Press
Strikes and shutdowns
In Los Angeles, UTLA members took to the picket lines because their schools are starved of resources. In Washington, D.C., President Trump has shut down the government to secure his border wall. In her monthly New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten writes that when our elected leaders fail, whether by not funding public schools or by shutting down services that provide for our safety, they strike at the very heart of what makes us a democratic republic. Read the full column.
AFT leaders offer condolences to Pittsburgh synagogue attack victims, community
AFT leaders in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington offered their condolences in the wake of the mass shooting of 13 congregants at a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning.
Struggling in a ‘strong’ economy
In her monthly New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten highlights the massive gap between President Trump’s rhetoric and reality. While the well-to-do are doing very well in the current economy, working Americans have been left behind. Weingarten demands leaders take action to benefit all Americans by ensuring accessible, affordable healthcare for all; reining in college debt; and adequately funding public education. Read the full column.
Ted Kirsch: They won't crush the American Dream or enrich themselves with our $$
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch released this statement following the US Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision.
“The Supreme Court's decision makes it clear that unions are not only relevant but indispensable in protecting working people.
AFTPA marks the passing of leader Sunny Richman
AFT Pennsylvania marks the passing today of a legendary PFT and PaFT leader, Sunny Richman. AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch was mentored by Ms. Richman and shared his thoughts on her contributions to our union.
Labor helps elect Conor Lamb to Congressional Dist.18
AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch congratulated Conor Lamb, the apparent winner of a tight race for Congressional District 18 in Western PA.
AFTPA President Ted Kirsch urges Republican lawmakers to work with Democrats to draw fair voting maps
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to block PA order to redraw voting maps. AFTPA President Ted Kirsch urges Republican lawmakers to work with Democrats to draw fair voting maps
Kirsch calls PA Supreme Court ruling a win for students
AFT Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch released the following statement about the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision to hear the school funding equity case. In a news release, Kirsch called it a win for students, parents and the commonwealth. A Commonwealth Court had rejected the case by six school districts, parents and organizations. Read Ted's comments.
Proposed education savings accounts are vouchers. Period.
A mid-state senator plans to push a bill authorizing education savings accounts, which are the latest iteration of school tuition vouchers. AFTPA President Ted Kirsch released a statement opposing this failed privatization strategy. “Let’s not waste time going down this road again – when 20-years of research has shown privatization schemes such as these fail to raise student achievement," Kirsch said. "All students and communities deserve good, neighborhood public schools with the resources to address children’s needs. That’s where we should focus our attention and invest our tax dollars.”