Union leaders said a rally is planned in front of the district office on Tuesday, April 30 at 5:45 p.m., ahead of the scheduled school board meeting.
LAKEVILLE, Minn. — The Lakeville Minnesota School Teachers Association announced Sunday that its members voted to authorize a strike after negotiations with Lakeville Area Public Schools reached an impasse.
Members voted on Thursday and Friday, according to a union press release. When the final votes were counted on Friday night, 99% were in favor of a strike.
“Teachers in Lakeville are standing together and standing up for what they need: fair pay, benefits, and job security. of teachers to other districts, which is hurting Lakeville students,” Lakeville, Minn., Superintendent Carrie Popp said in a statement to the media. “A strike is always a last option, but we have been working on our expiring contract for over 300 days. Lakeville teachers need this tool if the district is to take our demands seriously.” We've waited long enough. ”
Teachers are demanding significant pay increases, more affordable health care and better benefits from the district. According to the union, members also object to the language in the “right of placement,” which allows school districts to unilaterally transfer teachers between school buildings, subjects, or grades.
Johanna Surma, lead negotiator and kindergarten through fifth grade ESL teacher at Oak Hills Elementary School and Orchard Lake Elementary School, said in a statement: “The district is pushing for mandatory transfer language during this contract period, which will not only disrupt the stability of our schools, but also the stability of our schools,” which is essential to student success. relationship between students and educators. Parents, educators, and community members are concerned that school districts are pursuing unilateral transfers of power, and this threat to job security is hindering positive progress in negotiations. ”
State law requires 10 days' notice to the school district to file an intent to strike.
The union says a mediation meeting between the teachers and the Lakeville Public School District is scheduled for May 6, and the teachers are asking for that date to be moved up.
A rally is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th at 5:45 p.m. outside the district office in advance of the scheduled Lakeville School Board meeting.
Check out our news for the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota. YouTube playlist:
Learn more about Kare 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app Watch KARE 11 content anytime on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other smart TV platforms. The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all KARE 11 newscasts. You can also find on-demand replays of newscasts. KARE 11 Investigations, breaking news and updates from the land of 10,000 stories. Proprietary programs like Verify and HeartThreads. Minnesota Sports Talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
