3,000 at rally protest teachers' contract cancellation

IN A STRONG show of solidarity, about 3,000 members and supporters of the teachers union rallied at the Philadelphia School District's headquarters yesterday to protest what they called an attack on organized labor - the backbone of the district - with last week's cancellation of the union's contract.

The crowd, which included several labor unions, parents, students, community activists and elected officials, began gathering outside about two hours before the School Reform Commission's first meeting since it unilaterally terminated the contract and imposed health-care benefits. Many of the supporters made their way into a packed auditorium to voice their anger over the unprecedented move.

"It is an absolute lie to say that we are unwilling to negotiate around health care," Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, testified. Jordan said that a year ago the union offered health-care savings of about $24 million and a one-year wage freeze that would have saved at least an additional $10 million. He also said the union remained willing to go back to the bargaining table.

"Your actions will do great harm to the dedicated members of the PFT and the students they serve, but make no mistake: We will not go quietly into the night. The stakes are too high and we will counter your lies at every turn."

The district said the PFT's offer would have netted only about $2 million in savings after factoring in step raises. The imposed changes instead will save about $54 million this year and more than $200 million over the next four years, which will go directly to schools.

Robin Roberts, a member of Parents United for Public Education who has three children in district schools, accused the SRC of ripping the rug out from underneath teachers. "They are the only people who actually care about our children. You claim poverty, but we all know that that's a lie. You want us to believe in you but we don't trust anything you say or do."

For the most part, SRC chairman Bill Green and the rest of the five-member panel sat silently and unemotional as the crowd hurled insults and chanted.

Not everyone in the crowd was opposed to the SRC's decision. Helen Cunningham, a former member of the city school board that preceded the SRC, said she sympathized with the commission's hard decision.

"You have had the ability to make such changes for the past 13 years and clearly you've used your powers only in the most dire situation," Cunningham said, drawing a steady stream of boos and jeers from many in the crowd.

The district filed a lawsuit asking the Commonwealth Court to affirm the SRC's authority to end the contract based on the state takeover law that created the SRC. The union is expected to file a response this week.

Green said that the district was willing to resume negotiations immediately if the union offered meaningful concessions.

Superintendent William Hite, when questioned by a teacher about why senior-level employees did not take salary reductions requested by Hite, responded by saying he told them not to take salary reductions and that they pay into their benefits. He vowed that his staff would increase benefits contributions from the current 7 percent to match the PFT deal.

"If that's going to get us to a negotiated agreement, then let's get there," Hite said. "Stop talking about all of these other things and let's get there."

Earlier, jubilant union supporters blocked off one side of Broad Street, near Spring Garden, in front of the district's headquarters. With a Kensington CAPA band performing across the street from the administration building, many protesters carried signs criticizing Gov. Corbett, Green and Hite.

Representatives from the Commonwealth Foundation, a conservative think tank that supported the SRC's decision to cancel the contract, carried two banners, one of which read: "PFT - Pathetic for Teachers." Many PFT supporters taunted the 10 or so protesters, who were shielded by Philadelphia bike police and their bikes.

George Bezanis, a social-studies teacher at Central High School, took shifts to hold a PFT banner in front of the PFT Fails signs. He has a family and said health insurance will cost him $6,000 a year extra and, taking his pay freeze of the last two years, that's another $10,000 he's lost, Bezanis said. Now, if the SRC action becomes permanent, he said, he's going to start looking for work in the suburbs.

"I really like teaching in Philadelphia. I like the diversity. I love Central, I love my job," Bezanis said. "I don't want to give up on this city, but it seems like they are making me."

- Staff writer Vinny Vella

contributed to this report.