WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, located in the Germantown Section of the City, provides unique services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or who use assisted technology devices. The School for the Deaf works with children beginning in pre-kindergarten and extending through high school; and
WHEREAS, The teachers and support staff at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf voted overwhelmingly for union representation in an election under the National Labor Relations Board; and
WHEREAS, The teachers and staff are committed to the mission of the school, which is to open the world of learning to Deaf and Hearing Impaired students in a supportive, nurturing and safe environment; and
WHEREAS, Forming a union and including faculty and staff voices in decision making fosters stability. Union negotiations will provide a forum to explore educational challenges and issues in a spirit of mutual respect; and
WHEREAS, Their professional judgment - based on their experience as Deaf and Hearing Impaired educators - should be heard, along with those of administrators, parents, students and board members; and
WHEREAS, It is always beneficial to students when the teachers and staff have the opportunity to advocate effectively for students without fear of reprisal; and
WHEREAS, In light of the overwhelming majority support for a union, it is in the best interests of the students for negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement to commence promptly, be conducted in good faith, with the children's best interest in mind and concluded expeditiously; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby congratulates and honors the teachers and support staff of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on successfully forming a union and joining the American Federation of Teachers, Pennsylvania.
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