Philadelphia Teachers Strike as Talks Falter

Teachers here called a strike Friday afternoon for the first time since 1981 in a move that could disrupt classes Monday for 210,000 students if an agreement isn’t reached over the weekend.

The union announced the walkout after talks between the city and the 21,000 teachers, nurses, librarians, counselors and other school employees broke down.

School had already let out for the day when the strike was called, and union spokesman Bob Bedard said there still is hope that classes can be held as usual Monday in the nation’s seventh-largest school district.

“The real deadline, as everyone knows, is Monday morning,” he said.

Mayor John Street accused the teachers union of refusing to compromise.

“This is the last best offer, folks,” Street said. “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that there’s no more money.”

The union’s main issues include pay raises, health benefits and a move by the school board to extend the school day one hour.

Starting salaries are $31,344 for teachers who have a bachelor’s degree; $32,555 for a master’s. Teachers reach the top of the pay scale after 11 years, earning about $50,000 annually, after which they get the annual percentage increase in the contract.

With talks at a standstill, the mayor unilaterally imposed new work rules last month that include an 18.1% raise over five years, at a cost of about $400 million. District officials have said the union proposals would cost at least $100 million more. The district faces an $80-million deficit.