November 19, 2019
The PFT welcomes the announcement of a $500 million bond and an “Environmental Improvement Plan” that incorporates many of the union’s recommendations for addressing issues in our school buildings.
November 19, 2019
The District will close the school and relocate students and staff after the PFT’s discovery of dangerously high asbestos levels.
"The PFT is glad that the District is following our recommendation that all students and staff be moved from the Pratt Early Childhood Center until the asbestos in the building has been abated."
November 8, 2019
Now This, a news video site with millions of subscribers and followers across the nation, just released a powerful video on the toxic conditions in Philly’s public schools.
This is just the beginning of our efforts to bring national attention to this issue as we fight for an immediate $170 million investment to address safety hazards that threaten the health and safety of educators and schoolchildren.
October 21, 2019
The Fund Our Facility Coalition recently sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf urging his administration to find a way to immediately send $100 million for asbestos and lead abatement in Philly’s schools.
October 8, 2019
"At today’s town halls at 440, the students, parents and school staff from Ben Franklin and SLA let the District know–loudly and clearly–that they feel disrespected and neglected. And they are absolutely right. From the management of the construction, to their handling of asbestos hazards, to their communication with school communities, the District has failed to properly address the myriad concerns raised by this utterly shambolic renovation project."
October 4, 2019
Asbestos levels in the building that houses Ben Franklin High School and Science Leadership Academy are still too high to safely allow students and staff to enter.
September 30, 2019
During tests over the weekend, the PFT Health & Welfare Fund discovered damaged asbestos materials in two areas of the school that are under construction.
PHILADELPHIA–“The PFT is glad that the District and the union agree that the asbestos levels in two areas of Ben Franklin/Science Leadership Academy make it too dangerous to allow students, staff, and the school community to enter the building at this time. The decision to close the school tomorrow and Wednesday is the correct one.
September 25, 2019
The PFT submitted the following testimony from President Jerry Jordan in support of bill 190558, an Ordinance amending Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Practices Ordinance.
September 23, 2019
The Fund Our Facilities Coalition, in partnership with the undersigned concerned individuals and partners is calling for $100 million of that funding to be invested immediately, so the District can begin the process of remediating damaged asbestos and lead in every school. That students and educators have their health and safety at stake when they go to school should move all of us to immediate action.
September 18, 2019
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, through the PFT Health & Welfare Fund, today released an action plan for identifying and managing the abatement of asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs) in high-risk areas in Philly’s public schools. “Healthy Schools Action Plan: Asbestos Crisis in Philly Schools” defines the danger and makes pointed recommendations for mitigating the health hazards caused by asbestos.
PFT’s Healthy Schools Action Plan lays out a series of “action items” for five key areas.
