Minneapolis teachers go on strike for better pay and smaller class sizes

On Tuesday morning, about 3,500 Minneapolis educators and support staff went on strike, demanding better pay and smaller classes, the Minneapolis Teachers Federation said. In response, the city’s public schools canceled all extracurricular classes and activities for some 29,000 preschoolers through 12th grade, and will continue to do so until the strike is over.

The union, which is joined by teachers ‘education support professionals, announced the strike on Monday after the union and the school district failed to reach an agreement on their demands, which included an increase in teachers’ salaries. education support professionals and teachers, increased support for student mental health and reduced class sizes. He also wants more colored staff.

“We are on strike for safe and stable schools,” Minneapolis Federation of Teachers President Greta Callahan told a news conference on Tuesday. “We are on strike for systemic change. We are on strike for our students, the future of our city, and the future of Minneapolis public schools.”

Despite the strike, Minneapolis public schools said it would offer students a daily breakfast and lunch. Families can learn more about when and where to pick up meals at their school. It will also have school clinics and online learning enrichment activities available to students. However, MPS said it will not be able to supervise its younger students during the strike and told parents to arrange for the care of their students.

MPS called the strike “disappointing” and promised to limit its duration and impact.

“Anxiety, uncertainty and sadness are beyond words,” MPS Superintendent Ed Graff told a news conference on Tuesday. “What we’ve been through for the last two years with this pandemic, the social unrest, the racial recognition we have here in Minneapolis and now we’re back with our students in this space where they’re not in school with their teachers who care learning is very heartbreaking. “

He said MPS has “shared values” with the teachers ’union, and admitted that city educators deserve to be paid more. Despite COVID-19 relief money received by the district, MPS said on its website that it has a $ 97.2 million funding gap, which, along with declining enrollment, has affected their ability to increase staff salaries.

“It’s something we know we need to do better,” Graff said of the pay raises. “Unfortunately, the reality is that we have limited resources. The finances we have are not enough to provide the support we need.”

National unions such as the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association have expressed support for the demands of the local federation.

“How will you attract black and brown teachers if you don’t pay a decent salary?” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said Tuesday alongside Minneapolis educators. “These are the problems here.”

The last time Minneapolis teachers went on strike was more than 50 years ago, according to CBS Minnesota. The current strike will continue until an agreement is reached.

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