Dozens of school district workers gathered on Wednesday to prepare signs for the picket lines as the union representing about 14,000 district employees continues negotiations with the School District of Philadelphia.
"We don't want to strike. It's a last resort for us," said Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg.
On June 17, members of the PFT voted to authorize a strike if the union and the school district don't come to an agreement by the August 31 deadline.
"Negotiations are proceeding very slowly. We're not close to a settlement, and we'll see how things progress," said Steinberg, who told workers Wednesday that his goal was to get the deal done before summer break began.
In addition to speaking to teachers, Steinberg also spoke at a rally for transportation as supporters of SEPTA push for legislative funding. If they don't get it, routes will be cut by 45% - including some that go to schools.
"Our students take SEPTA to school," said one teacher at the sign-making event as she posed a question to Steinberg. "We take SEPTA to work. What are they going to do about that?"
PFT's president says it's just one of the challenges of teaching in a big city. The union is also pushing for things like paid paternal leave, changes to the sick day policy, and pay that's more on par with teachers in the suburbs.
"Our teachers at the top of the scale earn on average about $22,000 less than their counterparts in the suburbs," said Steinberg.
While the School District of Philadelphia says it can't comment on the details of negotiation, officials there do say the district values its teachers. A statement to Action News reads in part, "We look forward to working with the PFT on a proposal that honors the hard work of our staff each day."
If there is no deal, a strike could begin just one week after the first day of school.
"If we get to a point where we have to call a strike, then we can do it at a moment's notice," said Steinberg.
As union members prepared picket signs, they also expressed a hope that they wouldn't have to use them.
"Let me make very clear to the public," said Steinberg, "a strike is a last resort."
The next scheduled negotiation meeting between the School District of Philadelphia and PFT is set for Thursday.