Banner

Object number2011.131.16

Mediumlinen; paint

Credit LineGift of Vivian Fondy

DescriptionBlue and gold painted text on beige linen with message relating to teacher's union. Pocket at top with rope pulled through; ends hang loose out of both sides. Pocket also on bottom edge.Dimensions42.25 x 71.5 in. (107.3 x 181.6 cm)
InscriptionsBlue and gold painted text "PENNA FEDERATION / OF TEACHERS / E.R.A. NOW".
Historical NotesAlbert Fondy was a Pittsburgh Public School teacher who served over thirty-seven years in the leadership of various local and state teachers unions. Fondy was elected to serve fifteen consecutive terms as president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, twelve terms as president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers and was elected vice president of the American Federation of Teachers in 1980. A decade-long battle for agency shop legislation ended when Governor Casey signed Senate Bill 291 into law. The bill began as an effort to clarify the State Board of Education's authority over the State System of Higher Education. Those provisions -- which state that the board may regulate the state system as a whole, not individual universities -- remained in the bill upon final enactment. House amendments added provisions which can require non-union state and public school employees to pay a "fair share" of the cost of union representation. State and public school employees who belong to a bargaining unit receive the benefits of union membership even if they do not join the union. They pay no union dues but still receive wage increases negotiated by the union and can seek union representation in the grievance process. House Bill 2513 was a measure establishing a program of student loan forgiveness for education college graduates who accept teaching positions in underserved rural and urban areas of the state. Qualifying teachers who have borrowed money through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency would have their loans forgiven at a rate of up to $2,500 a year, up to a maximum of $10,000. The measure was seen as a way to attract teachers to inner city and rural school districts.

Related institution Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers

Related institution Pittsburgh Public Schools

Previous owner Albert Fondy

Subjects

Terms