With the first day of school just weeks away, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is preparing for a possible strike. 

Teachers made picket signs and posters during an event for members Wednesday in Northeast Philadelphia. 

The union is asking for an end to the school district's controversial sick leave policy, which it says punishes teachers for using sick days and requires them to meet with their principal after taking three days. The union also wants paid parental leave, extra pay for oversized classes and the restoration of school libraries.

The union's president, Arthur Steinberg, said teachers don't want to go on strike, but the union, which represents nearly 14,000 teachers, is "not even close to working out a deal with the school district.

"I told you guys many times before school was out that I wanted this done before you left, for your peace of mind, so you can enjoy your summer, and for parents and our communities to know that school would be opening on time, uninterrupted," Steinberg told members Wednesday. "They did not share that sense of urgency."

Steinberg said negotiations are set to continue Thursday. 

"We're available to meet every day if necessary to get this done by Aug. 31," he said.

Mayor Cherelle Parker has promised millions in teacher salary increases by 2030, but union leaders are focused on other sticking points.

Members have already authorized a strike in case the union doesn't reach a deal with the school district by Aug. 31, when the one-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement ends. 

The first day of school for students in the district is Aug. 25. 

In a statement, the School District of Philadelphia said it "continues to actively participate in conversations with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and engage in good faith negotiations with the hope of securing a new contract as soon as possible."

"More than 50 years of research shows that the single most important factor in student academic growth is a highly qualified, well-supported and stable teacher as well as principal over time. We look forward to working with the PFT on a proposal that honors the hard work of our educators," the statement says in part.

The district is "optimistic" that it can reach an agreement with the union, the statement says. 

The union also has strike preparation events planned for August 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, according to the union's website.