Strike deadline for Minneapolis, St. Paul educators looms

Marathon talks continue as educators prepare for possible Tuesday strike

Matt Sepic
March 6, 2022 

Minneapolis school social worker Daniel Perez talked about the contract demands from teachers and education professionals after unions on Minneapolis and St. Paul filed an intent to strike at the state’s Bureau of Mediation Services in St. Paul on Feb. 23, 2022. Leaders said they could walk off the job and shut down public school classes as soon as March 8.

Tim Nelson | MPR News

Members of teachers unions in both Minneapolis and St. Paul spent the weekend making and distributing picket signs ahead of a possible strike as early as Tuesday.

Nevertheless, union members said they want to avoid a walkout.

“We are here ready to mediate with the district up until Tuesday, and we're doing everything we can to get a settlement,” said Natasha Dockter, a middle school teacher and spokesperson for the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers.

Both the MFT and Minneapolis Public Schools said negotiations lasted for hours on Saturday and Sunday, with proposals presented from both sides.

Among other things, the unions in Minneapolis and St. Paul are seeking caps on class sizes, higher wages for paraprofessionals, and more mental health support for students.

"Nobody wants to go on strike. None of the teachers do. None of the staff wants to,” said Ruth Krider, a second grade teacher in St. Paul. “But for the kids, and for the students, and for their learning environment, it just needs to happen. We can bend, but we won't break."

Schools will operate as normal on Monday in both cities, but will close beginning Tuesday if no agreement is reached.

St. Paul students will have access to academic activities through iPads. The district will also open limited “Kid Space” programs in most elementary schools beginning Wednesday. Breakfast and lunch will be available for students under 18.

In Minneapolis, a meal bag containing breakfast and lunch for students will be available daily. MPS may also have limited child care spots available on an emergency basis. The district is urging parents to find other child care options.