Teachers in the Duquesne City School District walked the picket lines today and it doesn't look as if a resolution to the work stoppage is imminent.

Tom Sturm, communications director for the Duquesne Education Association, said the union is standing by its demand for a 19 percent pay raise.

But William Andrews, district solicitor, said the board of control is not moving from its offer of a 3 percent raise. "The Duquesne City School District is a bankrupt corporation and it cannot afford to give 19 percent raises," Mr. Andrews said.

No new talks are scheduled at this point so it appears the district's 462 pupils in kindergarten through eighth grade will remain out of the classroom. The district's information line for parents is 412-394-5505.

Mr. Sturm said while a 19 percent raise may seem excessive, the union chose the number because it brings them close to what teachers in the Clairton School District are being paid.

He said Duquesne teachers are the lowest paid in the county and Clairton teachers are the second-lowest paid. Mr. Sturm said the union's first demand of a 22 percent raise would have made Duquesne teachers' wages even with the Clairton District.

The lowered demand of a 19 percent increase would bring Duquesne teachers to the level of salary that Clairton made last year.

Mr. Sturm said the Duquesne teachers have not been demanding about significant wage increases in past years because it understood that the district was in financial straits.

However, he said, the teachers decided to take a stand for higher wages this year because the board of control significantly increased administrative expenses by hiring a new principal and assisant principal from Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Principal Davaun Barnett's salary is $101,000 and Assistant Principal Sharon McIntosh is making $80,000. In addition, the previous elementary principal, Barbara McDonnell, who is now the district's community education liaison, is making $87,550.

Mr. Sturm says the district's administrative costs increased by 213 percent.

But Mr. Andrews said Mrs. McDonnell's salary is paid for with a grant and that Mr. Barnett's and Ms. McIntosh's salaries did not create a significant increase in the budget.

Mr. Andews said any future negotiations will be set by a state mediator.