PFT members approved their contract on Thursday night, outlining key changes and implications for members moving forward.
In a significant development for educators in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) has ratified a new three-year contract following a decisive vote by its membership. The agreement was reached just days before the August 31 deadline, securing support from 69% of the voting members. This contract marks a pivotal step for approximately 14,000 teachers, secretaries, school nurses, counselors, and paraprofessionals, who will see a salary increase of 3% starting Monday, with additional raises scheduled for 2026 and 2027. Additionally, a one-time bonus of ,400 will be provided to all covered employees.
The timing of this agreement coincides with the first day of the 2025-26 school year, highlighting the urgency and importance of the negotiations. The new contract introduces several notable provisions, including the introduction of paid parental leave, which allows members to take five weeks off upon the birth or adoption of a child. This is a groundbreaking addition for PFT members, reflecting a broader trend toward family-friendly workplace policies.
However, the contract was not without controversy, as over 2,000 members opposed it. The primary point of contention was the revision of the attendance policy, which previously penalized teachers for using their earned sick days under a 3-5-7-9 structure. The new policy allows educators to utilize all 10 of their sick days without facing disciplinary action, a departure from previous practices where consecutive absences were aggregated as a single occurrence.
Other significant contract features aim to enhance the support for teachers and staff. Starting next year, the criteria for achieving “senior career teacher” status will be adjusted, reducing the credit requirements for advanced placement. Furthermore, annual stipends have been increased for classroom supplies, now awarding teachers and school psychologists 5 each, while school nurses will receive 0.
Provisions designed to attract and retain staff in education’s challenging roles include bonuses for those teaching in hard-to-fill positions and for teachers working at schools experiencing significant staffing difficulties. Notably, newly hired school nurses can receive up to ,000 to obtain necessary certifications.
The upcoming implementation of joint district-PFT committees aims to explore the impact of generative artificial intelligence in education and consider incentive programs for improving student performance, with potential bonuses of up to ,000 for high achievers beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
This contract still requires approval from the school board before it can take effect, but the PFT leadership expressed optimism, emphasizing their commitment to setting a foundational framework for future educational enhancements in the Philadelphia school system.
For more detailed information regarding the contract provisions and voting outcomes, reports will be available through Media News Source.
