Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (Pa.)

The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (American Federation of Teachers, Local 3) was established in 1941, as a result of the expulsion of the left-wing Philadelphia Teacher's Union (American Federation of Teachers, Local 192) from the American Federation of Teachers, until 1962, the PFT struggled to have even a minimal impact on school operations. After the New York teachers' UFT secured a collective bargaining agreement in 1961, a drive to organize began in Philadelphia with national AFL-CIO assistance. The PFT's membership rose from 600 to 3200 by the time it scored an upset victory over rival non-union organizations in the representation election of 1965. Since 1965, the PFT has been the bargaining agent for the city's teachers and it has also added other workers. Membership rose to 17,000 by 1973. A full health and welfare plan was begun in 1970. Frequent strikes since 1970 have helped maintain staffing levels, and the union has won impressive wage and fringe benefit settlements.