MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers could be heading towards a strike again.
On Thursday and Friday, the union members will vote on whether to authorize after it says negotiations with the district have stalled - an increase in pay and decrease in work load are the union's top sticking points.
The teachers have been working without a contract for 300 days.
"It's really personal to me and so that kind of keeps me going and keeps me fighting," said science teacher Jill Hartmann, who's part of the union and also at the bargaining table.
Hartmann says the two sides spent 18 hours negotiating on Tuesday, as well as 31 hours back on April 4th.
"The district gave us their last, best final this morning and we turned it down and so our mediators have said there are no more mediation sessions," said Hartmann.
The union wants a 10% raise over the next two years to retain teachers who Hartmann says are leaving for better pay in other districts. She says upwards of 11 have left her school this year alone.
The union last went on strike in March of 2022 for several weeks. Back then, Hartmann says its members secured a 2.5% raise, but that's not enough now.
"I've got a four-year-old in daycare right now and a mortgage and that's my entire paycheck," said Hartmann. "It doesn't leave much wiggle room for anything else."
There are still several major metro districts without a contract like Burnsville, Shakopee, Farmington and Lakeville. The statewide teacher's union, Education Minnesota, says 96% of districts across the state have settled contracts, but it's still been the slowest pace to settle in 20 years.
Many districts are battling budget deficits as well, including $110 million deficit in Minneapolis.
"I don't know if their priorities align with the priorities of teachers and people working in education right now and even students and families," said Hartmann. "We're doing this because we care about your kids and we want what's best for them."
The district would only release this statement to KARE 11, "MPS remains committed to reaching a tentative agreement with MFT as soon as possible. MPS will keep families and the community informed as we are able. Updates will be posted on our website. Updates will be posted on our website."
The results of the strike authorization vote are expected on Saturday.
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