History of the CCEU Leadership in the PFTDuring the first decade of Al Fondy’s 37-year tenure as the President of the PFT (1967-2005), he organized the teachers and paraprofessionals, led three successful strikes, helped establish public employees right to strike, and founded the Committee to Continue an Effective Union (CCEU) to ensure that the success would continue.
The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers was chartered in 1935 as the 400th local of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). But, it wasn’t until 1968 that the union won the right to collectively bargain on behalf of teachers and other professionals following an 11-day strike led by PFT President Al Fondy. In 1970, the PFT was again selected by Pittsburgh’s teachers and other professionals as their bargaining representative, the same year that Act 195 passed, giving educators and other public employees the right to strike. The following year, paraprofessionals also chose the PFT to represent them in contract negotiations. The PFT made significant gains during the 1970s for its members in the areas of salaries, benefits and working conditions. While making tremendous gains in the 1970s and to support consistent leadership focused on the work-lives of PFT members, a small group of PFT members, led by President Al Fondy, formed the CCEU. The objective was to insure the future of the PFT. The stability and health of the union is dependent upon the elected leadership of the PFT and their vision of what the PFT can accomplish. Union leaders in the CCEU are individuals who collectively remain dedicated to the members, to the teaching profession, and to the children and their families of the school district. Since the 1970s, efforts have continued by CCEU members to identify and support rising leaders who are focused and determined to continue this work, no matter how difficult. From the beginning of the PFT’s role as the collective bargaining agent for professionals, paraprofessionals, and technical-clerical employees, PFT leaders—recruited and endorsed by the CCEU— have continued to improve the economic security and professional opportunity for the members. |
PFT Leaders Have Fought for and Won ...
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