NEW YORK, NY November 19, 2009 —Contract talks between the city and the teachers union could be nearing an impasse. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

REPORTER: The union's delegates voted to give their leaders the power to ask a state labor panel to intervene in the talks if necessary. United Federation of Teachers President, Michael Mulgrew, says his members are still keeping their options open.

But in the past, the union has asked the state's Public Employment Relations Board to declare an impasse. That lengthy process ultimately led to higher wages.

The union's contract expired at the end of October. Neither side will comment on the negotiations. But the city has given other unions four-percent annual wage increases and is facing a tremendous budget deficit.

Teachers fear the city wants to reduce their benefits, tie their pay to student test scores, and put a cap on how long those without permanent jobs can continue being paid. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.