Teachers, other groups march for May Day in Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH » Public school teachers, immigration advocates and social and racial justice groups took to the streets in May Day demonstrations across Pennsylvania on Monday.
Philadelphia’s public school teachers haven’t had a contract in four years and haven’t had a pay raise in five years. About 1,000 teachers took personal days to protest at schools, stage a rally outside the district headquarters and march to City Hall. The district employs about 9,000 teachers.
Tom Magliaro teaches social studies to high school students at Franklin Learning Center.
Despite having eight years’ experience and a master’s degree, he said he is being paid as a third-year teacher without a master’s degree.
“I’ve lost about $60,000 from not us getting a contract,” he said at the protest outside City Hall. “It’s ridiculous. In no other industry would this be acceptable.”
Aura Townsend, who teaches English at George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science, said she works a second job at a youth shelter to help pay her mortgage and daughter’s college costs.
Keziah Ridgeway, who teaches world history at Northeast High School, said she worked at a middle school last year with 50 children in each class because so many teachers had left over the lack of contract. “Our kids deserve better,” she said. A school district spokesman said schools were open and the district worked with principals and the company that provides substitute teachers to ensure there would be no disruptions in the classrooms.
At City Hall, the teachers’ protest was later joined by an array of marchers including immigrant support groups and others seeking racial and social justice. Many were inspired to vent about Republican President Donald Trump’s policies.
Signs included slogans like “No ban, no wall,” “Refugees welcome” and “Silence the Hate” showing a gagged Trump.
A group of black-clad anti-fascists with covered faces and signs reading “America was never great” also joined the throngs.
At Philadelphia International Airport, food service workers staged a protest demanding they be paid the city minimum.
About 50 workers who move and package airline meals chanted “We are human” and wore signs bearing the slogan in 10 different languages.