Philly teachers union launches a media attack against Nutter

PHILADELPHIA ? The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is pulling out all the stops to avoid financial concessions necessary to keep the school district from drowning in a sea of red ink.

The union?s latest tactic: attack the mayor.

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Pressure is mounting on the union to help provide some financial relief for Philadelphia schools, which has requested $180 million in extra funding from city and state leaders.Those leaders have thus far pledged about $140 million in support. But that support hinges on the district?s ability to secure significant contract concessions during the current round of contract negotiations with the PFT.

PFT officials have basically ignored the calls for help, until now.

The union launched an extensive advertising campaign yesterday targeting Mayor Michael Nutter that attempts to paint him as a puppet for Gov. Tom Corbett, and alleges the two are ?putting kids? safety at risk? with ?short term fixes,? Philly.com reports.

The union is forbidden by law from striking, the news site reports, so the ad campaign seems like its last-ditch effort to sway public opinion in its favor.

The allegations in the ads, of course, are preposterous. Nutter has pursued a number of different avenues to fix the school district?s budget problems ? from floating a tax on soda and liquor, to passing tax increases on businesses, Philly.com reports.

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?For them to suggest that Michael Nutter hasn?t stepped up for the school children of Philadelphia is just an utter falsehood,? Nutter spokesman Mark McDonald told the news site.

We agree, and we don?t think the union?s massive media blitz ? which hits print, radio, TV, and online markets this week ? will be enough to distract the public from one simple fact Nutter pointed out to Philly.com two weeks ago:

PFT members are ?essentially the only adults at the table who so far have yet to financially contribute to a solution for this crisis.?

Those are the facts. The state, city, taxpayers, mayor, district administrators, and school board members have done their part.

?It?s time for the PFT to step up,? Nutter said, according to Philly.com.

Philly teachers union launches a media attack against Nutter ? EAGnews.org powered by Education Action Group Foundation, Inc..

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