If Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers President John Tarka leads the union's first strike in 32 years, critics will accuse him of holding hostage the revitalization efforts of the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

At the same time, Mr. Tarka faces a growing restlessness from union members who don't believe they've been fairly compensated for their work in Superintendent Mark Roosevelt's improvement campaign. The next election for union president is in the spring.

Mr. Tarka, 62, union president for more than two years, is in a dilemma. Or is he?

"I'm not sure I would use the word 'dilemma,' because dilemma suggests there are no answers. And there are clearly answers for some of the challenges we face in Pittsburgh," he said during a weekend interview.

The school district in recent weeks has released statements calling attention to its financial problems and describing teachers as already well paid. Mr. Tarka said the negotiations are challenging but suggested the district has room to compromise.

"I'm not going to apologize for saying I do want teachers compensated properly and given the tools and resources they need to help their children move ahead," he said.

Mr. Tarka wouldn't specify how close the union is to a strike or what's needed to ink a new deal with the district, except to say there's still "significant work to be done on important issues."

Though he'll consult with executive board members and other union representatives, the decision to strike rests largely with Mr. Tarka, described by admirers as thoughtful, firm and dedicated to the district.

He took over the union in June 2005 after longtime leader Al Fondy died.

Mr. Tarka, as low-key as Mr. Fondy was flamboyant, says little in public about negotiations or the people on the other side of the bargaining table.

"When John says something, he means it. It's not an emotional response. He's thought about it," said Ted Kirsch, president of AFT Pennsylvania, the state union.

Mr. Tarka taught English and speech at Pittsburgh Westinghouse High School in Homewood for 15 years, also coaching football and track. In 1982, he was a finalist for state teacher of the year.

He became full-time executive director of AFT Pennsylvania in 1984 while also serving on the Pittsburgh federation's executive board. Admirers said he's wielded influence not only at the state level but in the national arena, where he's served on the AFT's committee on the No Child Left Behind Act and the union's K-12 Program and Policy Council.

"He was always thoughtful, very articulate and had strong opinions about things but was a very well-respected voice when different education associations would come together," said Ron Cowell, president of the Education Policy and Leadership Center, a nonprofit group in Harrisburg.

The district's contracts with three PFT bargaining units -- representing about 3,500 teachers, other professionals, paraprofessionals and technical-clerical workers -- expired June 30. In October, union members voted 2,666 to 234 to allow their leadership to call a strike at any time.

In a statement Friday, district officials repeated their claim that a strike would damage Mr. Roosevelt's bid to boost academics.

"We value our teachers and support their right to be fairly compensated. But as I have stated previously, we will not support a contract settlement that would require a tax increase," Mr. Roosevelt said.

Mr. Tarka said union members are working diligently despite the contract dispute.

The two sides are holding another bargaining session today -- their fourth since Jan. 4 -- and Mr. Tarka said the union is willing to continue meeting in the hope of averting a walkout. Mr. Tarka repeatedly has said he doesn't want a strike.

The last contract, a two-year agreement shortly after Mr. Tarka took over the union, gave $3,000 raises to teachers at the top of the salary scale and step increases, but no raises, to less senior union members. Top scale pay went to $73,500 for a teacher with a master's degree, but members can earn more for longevity and extra duties.

Teachers initially rejected that proposal, then approved it three weeks later. The unusual turn of events offered a glimpse of the discontent in union ranks and raises the question of how much teachers will demand this time around.

Since the last contract, Mr. Roosevelt has closed 22 schools, introduced new curricula and thinned the teaching corps, largely by attrition. He's angered some teachers by saying the district has little money for raises, though his own salary has gone from $165,000 to $195,000 in two years.

Not all issues are economic. Discipline, class size and length of work day are also on the table.

Mr. Tarka contends union members are working harder than ever and said the overwhelming strike authorization vote signaled "the need for proper recognition in collective bargaining."

During a strike, teachers often take a public relations beating. Mr. Tarka said the critics may not understand what teachers experience each day, from discipline problems to the pressures of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

After the death of Mr. Fondy, his next-door neighbor, Mr. Tarka took over the Pittsburgh federation by vote of its executive board. Mr. Tarka could face election for a full term in the spring but said he's been too busy working on contract talks to think about his future.

"I think my sense is that PFT members are doing a very fine job under very difficult circumstances," he said.