Striking Philadelphia teachers resume talks

PHILADELPHIA - School negotiators resumed talks with striking teachers on Sunday, hoping to end a walkout before Monday when more than 210,000 students could be left without classes to attend.

Thousands of teachers in the nation's seventh-largest school district went on strike at the end of the school day Friday after the two sides failed to reach a contract agreement. Union leaders met with Mayor John F. Street for several hours Saturday.

''I cannot in all good conscience say we made a lot of progress, but we're talking,'' Street said.

Negotiators for the two sides met again Sunday afternoon to try to resolve their differences, particularly a dispute over how much time should be added to the school day without additional pay for teachers.

Under the contract that expired Sept. 1, the school day was set at 6 hours. Street wanted to extend that by one hour beginning next year to bring the city's class time in line with the state average, but the teachers' union balked. Teachers have since agreed to an additional 30 minutes, but Street wants at least 45 minutes.

Street's proposal also includes an 18.1 percent raise over five years. Salaries in the district now start at $31,344, and top pay after 11 years is $50,000 annually, after which teachers receive an annual percentage increase.

The district requested federal help last week, but Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of an appropriations subcommittee that doles out money for education, said Sunday that Philadelphia schools would have a tough time getting more federal money.

''That's frankly tough, because you have school strikes all over the country,'' the Pennsylvania Republican said, adding that he could not favor one district over others.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Ted Kirsch said he was angry that city officials told reporters about Saturday's meeting and feared the city was trying to put him in an awkward position. City officials came with suitcases and checked into the hotel, he said, adding that he was never told they expected negotiations to continue for so long.

Pennsylvania allows teachers to strike, but that right is limited by a law that says students must be able to complete 180 days of class time by June 30.

Union officials have said that would allow a strike up to 5 weeks. However, Street has said he won't stand for a long walkout.

The mayor threatened to call for a state takeover of the school system if a contract agreement isn't reached soon, and Gov. Tom Ridge has said he would support the request. Such a move would allow the state to revoke the credentials of any teacher who remains on strike.

The last teachers strike in Philadelphia lasted 51 days in 1981.

A prolonged strike could have other consequences: Supporters of Vice President Al Gore fear it could disrupt the Nov. 7 election and hurt Gore's chances of winning Pennsylvania. If teachers picket the 198 schools that serve as polling places, voters in Philadelphia - a heavily Democratic city with a strong labor presence - might stay home rather than cross the lines to vote.

---

On the Net:

Philadelphia schools: http://www.philsch.k12.pa.us

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers: http://www.pft.org