MINNEAPOLIS — In a surprise turnaround, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) came to a tentative two-year agreement with the Minneapolis school district just hours before union members were expected to vote on a strike Thursday.
Just as recently as Wednesday night, the union said negotiations had stalled.
Educators have been working without a contract for 300 days. The union was fighting for a 10% pay raise and smaller work loads - but it is unclear if they achieved those goals.
Early Thursday morning, union president Greta Callahan said in a statement that both sides reached an agreement they are "proud of."
The Minneapolis school district is balancing this contract with a $110 million deficit.
“This tentative agreement took our teams many hours of work, but we’re excited about what we’ve accomplished together," Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams said in a joint statement with MFT on Friday. "We believe the agreement honors the excellent work and dedication of our teachers and licensed educators while keeping students at the center.”
"These last couple of days have been a great example of the positive changes we are seeing under this new district administration, and we feel hopeful about the future of the Minneapolis Public Schools," Callahan added in Friday's joint statement.
Friday afternoon, leaders from the union and district met to announce that tentative agreement.
"To come to common ground and reach an agreement for our most precious asset, which is our students," Sayles-Adams said.
No specific details about the contract have been made public, but union leaders were able to share some insight. They say this includes the highest raise in over 25 years, workload relief for special educators and shortening their calendar.
While an agreement may have tentatively been reached, there are still many questions remaining about the $110 million deficit. Sayles-Adams says that deficit will grow after this contract is adopted.
Also on the table – the potential for layoffs and building closures, but Sayles-Adams couldn't specify further.
Union members will vote on the agreement between May 8-10. If accepted, the Minneapolis school board would vote on the agreement on May 14.
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