Jim Testerman

James P. Testerman is an American labor union executive and former educator who serves as the Chief of Operations and Risk Management for the National Education Association (NEA), the largest labor union in the United States. Previously, he served as the president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) from 2007 to 2011. His career has been noted for his involvement in legal precedents regarding public records transparency and "release time" for union officials.

Early life and education

Testerman attended Elizabethtown College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1984. He subsequently earned a Master of Education in Counseling from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1989. In 1993, he obtained certification as a Quality Schools Trainer from Pennsylvania State University. Testerman lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his husband, realtor Robert "Rob" Spinazzola. Testerman and Spinazzola also own a condominium together in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Labor disputes

2024 staff labor dispute Following the strike, management instituted a protective lockout of staff. The dispute caused President Joe Biden to cancel a scheduled address at the NEA Representative Assembly to avoid crossing the picket line.

Views on public pension policy During his tenure with the National Education Association, Testerman frequently represented the union's position on public pension reform. Participating in panel discussions alongside state legislators and fiscal conservatives, Testerman challenged the prevailing narrative that public pension systems were facing an insurmountable fiscal crisis.

Solvency and funding standards In contrast to legislators who described the pension environment following the 2007–2008 financial crisis as "threatening" and "dangerous," Testerman argued that "the sky is not falling." He contended that funding gaps were primarily the result of specific economic downturns in 2002 and 2008 rather than structural failure, noting that investment returns historically restore funding status over time. While serving as a local union officer in 2004, he was cited in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette regarding the role of gay and lesbian educators in supporting students with identity issues.

Pennsylvania State Education Association Testerman rose through the leadership ranks of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), serving as Treasurer (1999–2003) and Vice President (2003–2007). He was elected President of the PSEA in 2007, serving until 2011.

Campbell v. Central York School District While serving as a PSEA officer, Testerman remained an employee of the Central York School District on "release time," an arrangement where the district paid his salary and pension contributions while the union reimbursed the district. This status allowed him to continue accruing credit in the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS).

In October 2021, he was appointed Chief of Operations and Risk Management.