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WHEREAS, 75 years ago, it wasn't low wages and poor working conditions that drove Pittsburgh teachers to organize and create the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) 75 years ago, it was 200 female teachers who wanted to get marry, as teachers in larger school districts did; and
WHEREAS, the PFT grew dramatically in the 1960's when the Union demanded the Pittsburgh Board of Education open its financial books to the Union to determine whether the Board was able to substantially increase teacher's salaries; and
WHEREAS, success in New York and Philadelphia in holding union elections and gaining collective bargaining encouraged the Pittsburgh teachers to do the same; and
WHEREAS, in 1967, led by the late President Al Fondy, members of the American Federation of Teachers worked with the PFT to make a plan to advance the Union and in 1968 the Union took a strike vote demanding collective bargaining; and
WHEREAS, today's PFT, led by President John Tarka, stresses the importance of improving creative and safe learning environments within each school building totally separate from outside distractions; and
WHEREAS, the Union is always at the discussion tables working closely with the Pittsburgh Board of Education to move the teaching profession forward by developing new evaluation methods for both teachers and professionals strengthening the teaching profession and, ultimately, strengthening student achievement;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh recognizes the essential work of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers in service to the teachers of this community working toward better educating the children of the City of Pittsburgh and does hereby recognize, Friday, December 3, 2010, as "Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.