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Philadelphia contract negotiations continuing

Teacher talks are likely to continue into the night.

By Susan Snyder

Inquirer Staff Writer

Negotiators for the Philadelphia School District and its teachers union were still in negotiations this evening as a midnight deadline approached.

There was no word on progress or whether the district would extend the contract for the 15,000-member Philadelphia Federation of Teachers if no pact is reached.

But union spokesman George Jackson said on Saturday: "We let our members know we plan to negotiate through the weekend."

School district spokesman Fernando Gallard said he would be issuing a statement upon the conclusion of negotiations this evening.Negotiations were expected to go late into the night.

The school district is seeking $103 million in concessions from the union, including wage cuts ranging from five percent to 13 percent and changes in health care insurance. The district also wants flexibility to assign teachers to schools without regard to seniority and eventually award raises based on performance.

The union has said it would forgo raises for one year and concede to changes in health care that could save the district millions, but would not agree to wage cuts.

Contact Susan Snyder at 215-854-4693 or ssnyder@phillynews.com or on Twitter @ssnyderinq.