Court: Philadelphia schools can’t cancel teachers’ contract
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s ruling barring Philadelphia School Reform Commission from canceling the city teachers’ union contract and imposing new rules to save money.
Philly.com reports the court issued the ruling Monday, blocking the commission from forcing terms on the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.
Union president Jerry Jordan says the ruling is a rebuke of a power grab and is a long time coming for his 11,500-member union.
Superintendent William Hite says no further legal action would be taken.
The SRC voted in October 2014 to cancel the contract after nearly two years of negotiations. The commission said it wanted to save $54 million that year by requiring union members to pay part of the cost of their medical plans, among other changes.