ST PAUL, Minn. — As negotiations continue, local organizations are stepping in ahead of a looming teachers strike.
"We'll offer emergency closing programs for the strike," said Dave Grote, District Childcare Supervisor for YMCA of the North. "The hours of those operations are from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and we have three different locations for that. "
A spokesperson with YMCA of the North say they're offering services for students in kindergarten through fifth grade at three metro locations during any potential striking.
"There's a cost of $45 per day at the midway location and the Blaisdell location, and the north community has special pricing at $12 per day," he said.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board also announced extended hours and activities for children at 10 recreation center locations.
"We understand the complexities of trying to find daycare, trying to find places to go," said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura.
At the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities, two West Side Clubs and the Southside Village Club will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; the East Side and Jerry Gamble Clubs will open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and the Little Earth Club will open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for elementary students and 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. for middle and high school students. Food and activities will be offered.
According to the club, membership has been free since the start of the pandemic.
Union members representing teachers in Minneapolis announced Monday they'll begin picketing Tuesday morning. It is the first time teachers have gone on strike in Minneapolis since the '70s. The last time it happened in St. Paul was in 2020.
"In 2020, we did have a strike in St. Paul that lasted three days," said Grote. "We've provided care in St. Paul, for that, it will be a historic time for Minneapolis."
Minutes before the 9 p.m. deadline Monday, the St. Paul Federation of Educators and St. Paul Public Schools announced they had reached a deal to avoid a potential strike.
And while mediation efforts proved successful in St. Paul, Grote is still working to adjust staffing after MFT announced the move to strike beginning Tuesday.
"We reached out amongst our departments who work together to make sure that we can secure a full day [of] programming and staffing hours, but certainly it is a bit of a challenge," he said.
To register your child for MPRB's extended services, click here.
The Harold Mezile North Community YMCA in north Minneapolis is $12 a day and registration is required.
The Blaisdell YMCA in south Minneapolis is $45 a day and registration is required.
Minneapolis Public Schools has also consolidated a list of resources for families during the strike, which can be found here.
For bargaining updates from MPS, visit the website here.