The Importance of this Election
Dear Union Sisters, Brothers, and siblings,
By now you have received your PFT ballots for Executive Board seats, 2024 AFT National Convention Delegate positions, and 2025 AFT PA State Convention Delegate positions. For these elections, there is one slate of candidates—the CCEU slate—on each of the three (3) ballots. There are some individual candidates for the convention delegate positions, too.
The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) conducts three elections every two years as required by the Constitutions and Bylaws of the AFT, the AFT-PA, and the PFT Local 400. This year we elect 16 of 32 Executive Board positions including the President and the Vice-President of Elementary Schools.
Our union needs to hold these elections in order to attend the conventions with voting power and to comply with labor laws for the election of union officials.
More importantly, our regular elections for Executive Board and Convention Delegates are an essential part of ensuring that our local’s democratic processes are followed and preserved.
The CCEU (Committee to Continue an Effective Union) slate does not have opposition for Executive Board and all the convention candidates will be elected as delegates or alternate delegates. However, I don't believe that candidates for elected positions should assume that members would vote for them just because the election is uncontested.
Therefore, I am asking you for your votes for the CCEU candidates on each of the three (3) ballots not only to honor our democratic process and respect the value of your decision, but also to acknowledge the work that has been done by the PFT elected Executive Board and past Convention Delegates.
Let me tell you this as if we had an opposing slate vying for the PFT leadership positions. My priorities are and will be for the next four years:
Charters, vouchers, and violence are poised to continue to force the District's declining student enrollment. It is going to take ideas and leadership from the Federation to get the District on a stable path.
There is no opposition in this election. But the problems we face exist whether or not this was a competitive election. The CCEU candidates, including myself, are committed to a more aggressive response to what is unfolding in Pittsburgh Public Schools—from Early Head Start through High School graduation.
In solidarity,
Billy Hileman
President, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers
By now you have received your PFT ballots for Executive Board seats, 2024 AFT National Convention Delegate positions, and 2025 AFT PA State Convention Delegate positions. For these elections, there is one slate of candidates—the CCEU slate—on each of the three (3) ballots. There are some individual candidates for the convention delegate positions, too.
The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) conducts three elections every two years as required by the Constitutions and Bylaws of the AFT, the AFT-PA, and the PFT Local 400. This year we elect 16 of 32 Executive Board positions including the President and the Vice-President of Elementary Schools.
Our union needs to hold these elections in order to attend the conventions with voting power and to comply with labor laws for the election of union officials.
More importantly, our regular elections for Executive Board and Convention Delegates are an essential part of ensuring that our local’s democratic processes are followed and preserved.
The CCEU (Committee to Continue an Effective Union) slate does not have opposition for Executive Board and all the convention candidates will be elected as delegates or alternate delegates. However, I don't believe that candidates for elected positions should assume that members would vote for them just because the election is uncontested.
Therefore, I am asking you for your votes for the CCEU candidates on each of the three (3) ballots not only to honor our democratic process and respect the value of your decision, but also to acknowledge the work that has been done by the PFT elected Executive Board and past Convention Delegates.
Let me tell you this as if we had an opposing slate vying for the PFT leadership positions. My priorities are and will be for the next four years:
- First to settle the three (3) PFT-PPS and one (1) PFT-PMOIU#2 collective bargaining agreements with reasonable economic progress and protection of hard won excellent benefits. We are working hard to get the contracts settled on time, but won't agree to a bad deal just to get a settlement.
- Address the teaching and learning environment (TLE) with a focus on how the District responds to student misconduct including violent student behaviors. The current conditions are also related to how direct supervisors manage their buildings or programs, and how they treat the employees whom they supervise. There are vast differences between schools in both student conduct and school leadership. A culture where educators are treated with respect begins in the immediate environment.
- Improve and make more efficient the process and response time by the PFT office and by the District through the employee complaint and grievance processes.
- Increase member involvement through the grassroots committee structure.
- Continue to advocate for full support of public schools, locally, statewide, and nationally. Without constant pressure on elected officials, we will not be able to preserve public education in Pittsburgh.
Charters, vouchers, and violence are poised to continue to force the District's declining student enrollment. It is going to take ideas and leadership from the Federation to get the District on a stable path.
There is no opposition in this election. But the problems we face exist whether or not this was a competitive election. The CCEU candidates, including myself, are committed to a more aggressive response to what is unfolding in Pittsburgh Public Schools—from Early Head Start through High School graduation.
In solidarity,
Billy Hileman
President, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers