Progress was made yesterday during a bargaining session between the Pittsburgh Public Schools and the teachers union, a school board member said.

John Tarka, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, said the session lasted about seven hours. He declined to characterize the talks.

Theresa Colaizzi, chairman of the school board's Negotiations Committee, said district negotiators told her much work remained but that progress was made.

"They were pretty happy when they walked out of there," she said.

The union represents three bargaining units comprising about 3,500 teachers, other professionals, paraprofessionals and technical-clerical workers. All have been without contracts since June 30 and authorized the union leadership to call a strike if it considers one necessary.

More bargaining will occur Wednesday and Friday.