Each year presents the state federation with opportunities to serve members and help out in the community. Before meeting the opportunities of 2021, it’s worthwhile to look back at AFT-Maryland’s efforts from 2020.
January 6, 2021
PHILADELPHIA— In response to the coup attempt in Washington, D.C., PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:
“I’m disgusted and sickened by the domestic terrorism unfolding at the US Capitol. In an extraordinarily dangerous and volatile situation, a group of primarily white seditionists are attempting a coup, and this disgraceful display speaks so profoundly to how broken our society is.
Justice for Jacob Blake. #BLM
December 23, 2020
Dear Members,
It has certainly been an historic year, and one wrought with profound loss and sadness. And as you embark upon a well-deserved respite, I hope you will take time to pause and reflect on how much you have accomplished amidst such trying times. You have done so much for our schoolchildren, your families, and your communities. I hope that you have a peaceful holiday break, and that however you celebrate, you will do so in a way that keeps you and yours safe.
The year was so profound, that I wanted to take a look back at just some of what has unfolded, and our union’s role in all of it. So, bear with me-- this is a long one, but I believe it’s important to reflect on one of the most significant years in recent history.
December 1, 2020
This afternoon, PFT President Jerry Jordan delivered testimony before City Council in opposition to Bill 200366, which would delay changes to the 10-year tax abatement.
January 10, 2021
Bow, NH
To say the first full week of 2021 was eventful is a gross understatement. The shocking attempt at a coup in Washington DC will be memorialized by historians but should not surprise anyone following politics the past twenty years. Commentary is already flowing fast and furious, and there is little need to add to it. Suffice to say, the attempted coup bears witness to the continued power and stridency of white supremacist thinking and rhetoric and its deep roots in American history and culture. Sadly, lives were lost, including police officer, Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries incurred in the line of duty. Unsurprisingly, Governor Sununu has not ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of Officer Sicknick. One can only suspect our dear governor is still holding his finger in the air, trying to determine the direction of the political winds before he considers acting or taking a stand in regards to the coup and his party leader, President Trump.
**PRESS RELEASE**
AFT PENNSYLVANIA URGES CAUTION ON REOPENING SCHOOLS
Plymouth Meeting, PA, January 8, 2021—On behalf of its 36,000 members and 61 locals, AFT Pennsylvania President Arthur G. Steinberg on Friday released the following statement urging the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health and Department of Education to use caution after new guidance issued by Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine encourages districts to resume in-person learning.
It's Friday. You know what that means.
A new issue of the NTU Update!
In This Issue:
1) School Reopening Update
2) Midyear Evaluations
3) How to talk about the events of January 6
4) Quarantine Days
5) Pet Insurance
AND MORE!
The violence that took place yesterday was absolutely disgusting. Our country is one that operates on the rule of law and belief in that law. When elected leaders threaten to undermine the rule and overturn the will of the American voters, and go on to incite others to violently attempt to overturn the will of the people, our democracy loses all moral standing. The President and his allies in Congress should be ashamed of themselves. The rambunctious MAGA supporters who operated in rebellion to the United States should be ashamed of themselves and most importantly, we as a country should be ashamed of ourselves.
The country has a dark history of meeting every effort to expand democracy and...
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