Striking teachers in the Palmerton Area School District got a welcome visit Friday from the head of the state’s teacher’s union.

Jerry Oleksiak, president of the Pennsylvania School Education Association, visited with teachers on the picket line.The district’s teachers have been on strike since Monday. They have been working without a contract since July.Oleksiak said he was on hand to offer support for the Palmerton Area Education Association as they continue to fight for higher wages for its 100-plus teachers.“The teachers don’t want to be here. They want to be in the classroom with their kids. But sometimes you get to a point where you need to stand up for you as a professional, and ultimately what’s best for you and your community,” Oleksiak said.PAEA and administrators ceased negotiations Jan. 6, paving the way for the strike to begin Monday.PAEA President Tom Smelas, a teacher at Palmerton Area High School, updated Oleksiak on the strike.He said that support from the statewide union helps embolden his membership.“It’s confirmation that what we’re doing is the right thing. It’s unfortunate that we have to, but it’s what we’re doing,” Smelas said.The two sides have been unable to agree on annual salary increases, healthcare contributions, as well as whether to keep a “salary step” for veteran teachers, or use that money to help boost pay for new teachers.Smelas said that the union is willing to return to the bargaining table at any time. He reiterated that they are not interested in hiring a fact finder from the Pa. Labor Relations Board to assist with negotiations.“The board has known for weeks that we’re wiling to meet any day, any time. We haven’t heard from them,” he said.“We would really prefer that we hammer this out, and not an outside party. That’s our number one goal.”The statewide union has been providing support for the teachers throughout the process. Some of Oleksiak’s colleagues have joined them on the picket lines, along with union members from other school districts.Jessica Sabol, a PSEA spokesman, said that she’s been impressed by the support of Palmerton businesses and community members — whether it’s students carrying signs, or a business donating 39 pizzas, which she said happened on Monday.“They’re saying, ‘we want to support you, how can we do it?’ It’s been overwhelming,” she said.Sabol said that the teachers would be happy to continue negotiations over the weekend.However, if that does not happen, she said they plan to attend Tuesday’s regular school board meeting en masse.Oleksiak said that the teachers are not enjoying being on strike, but it’s what they feel they have to do for students.“This is not why we got into this, to be walking picket lines. The teachers want to be where they belong.“But it does take two. The board’s gotta recognize they have a responsibility to negotiate in good faith, to be responsive.”