MINNEAPOLIS — Editor's note: The attached video originally aired on Feb. 20, 2022
The Saint Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE) and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) and Education Support Professionals officially filed separate intent to strike notices Wednesday afternoon.
According to a press release distributed early Wednesday, members of both the SPFE and MFT as well as Education Support Professionals authorized a strike on Feb. 17 in separate votes.
Minnesota law requires the union to give the district at least 10 days notice before the first day of the strike.
MFT is bargaining for, among other things, a starting wage of $35,000 for its education support professionals, hiring more mental health professionals for students, reducing class sizes and raising compensation for teachers.
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, representatives from both the Minneapolis and St. Paul teachers unions spoke about the potential strike, and why they say it would be a "short-term sacrifice" that will provide relief in the long term.
"The time is now for the district to accept our demands, and together with us, work to deliver the safe schools and stable schools our students, our families, and our staff deserve. Whatever it takes; we’re ready," said Daniel Perez, a social worker and member of MFT.
Ma-Riah Roberson-Moody, co-lead for the ESP Chapter of MFT, said things can't keep going the way they are.
"It's time for Minneapolis Public Schools to start investing in our educators so we can start investing in our schools and the futures of our students," Roberson-Moody said. "We need things to change."
A representative with the St. Paul teachers union said educators don't want to have to strike, but they're "prepared to do what we need to do."
"The ball is in our districts' courts," said Leah VanDassor, president of SPFE. Adding, "We didn't have to get here, really at all, if our districts were doing what they were supposed to be doing to begin with."
The union reps say wages are a big part of why educators are leaving the districts.
"It's not going to get any better if we do nothing," said Greta Callahan, president of the Teacher's Chapter of MFT 59. "Our district is saying they can't afford it. We're saying you can't not afford it."
Callahan told KARE 11 on Feb. 20 that some teachers are making $24,000 per year.
"In my chapter alone, we've lost 645 teachers in the last year and a half, we've lost 120 teachers of color,” she said.
Union leaders say these measures will help Minneapolis Public Schools retain teachers, especially teachers of color.
SPFE’s top priorities include a fully staffed mental health team in every building, lowering class sizes, and reasonable wages.
“We're not looking forward to having to strike, but we're willing to do so if this is what it's going to take," VanDassor.
In response to the filing, SPPS Superintendent Joe Gothard issued a video statement, saying in part:
"All told, SPPS is offering $9 million in wage increases and other spending for this contract. The SPFE proposals add up to more than $60 million. Meanwhile, the district is projecting a $43 million-shortfall and additional enrollment decline of 1,800 students. We simply cannot spend more and more on staff and higher salaries in our current environment.”
Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff also released a video statement, saying:
"MPS has to weigh the impact of a strike now against the impact to students and families in the future if MPS spends money we don’t have."
He added, "Like everyone in the MPS community, I want our students to have every possible day in their classrooms with their teachers. No one wants a strike. We will be working day and night to avoid that."
The unions are currently in a 10-day "cooling" period where educators and the district can continue to negotiate.
The possibility of a strike has created uncertainty for thousands of families in both districts. Khulia Pringle, a Minnesota organizer with the National Parents Union, said she's worried a strike could exacerbate the achievement gap and cause students to fall even farther behind.
"A lot of parents have reached out to me, a little nervous because they know what's happening. They're unsure what to do about child care costs, and wondering if I know of any programs that are going to help if their kids can't go to school," Pringle said. "Both sides of the river, they need to get it together."