Phila. teachers get update on contract talks

Philadelphia public school teachers returned to work Tuesday and were greeted with no good news about their attempt to get a new contract with the district, union leaders said.

"They are certainly anxious to settle a contract, but they are not anxious to settle at any cost," said Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

Jordan, joined by Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, briefed teachers at a general-membership meeting at Philadelphia High School for Girls about contract talks.

"We are still negotiating," Jordan said. The teachers' last contract expired in August 2013.

The district continues to face an $81 million deficit and is trying to get a $2-per-pack cigarette tax passed by the state legislature.

"The cigarette tax is an absolute necessity to put another Band-Aid on what has been a terrible situation," Weingarten said.

The legislature will return to Harrisburg later this month.

Students return to class next week.

The start of the school year was in danger until Gov. Corbett, whom the teachers blame for the district's financial woes, advanced $265 million to the district.

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