Educational support professionals for the union representing Minneapolis teachers announced Wednesday their intention to go on strike against the school district.
The executive committee of the Support Professionals Chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers previously said it would file a strike notice against Minneapolis Public Schools if a tentative agreement was not reached by the end of the school day Wednesday. The union announced in a news release that the deadline had passed and the intention to strike was submitted late Wednesday afternoon. The application begins a 10-day countdown, meaning the union could go on strike from May 14 if it wishes.
“Educational support professionals, like teachers, deserve a living wage, affordable health care, and recognition for their experience and training,” Katina Taylor, president of the union's Educational Support Professionals Chapter, said in a news release. said. “This is what we need to ensure we have access to education support professionals and keep students learning safely and engaged. Negotiations shouldn't be this difficult.”
Last week, at least 92% of education support professionals voted in favor of authorizing a strike.
The intention of the strike notice is not to force a strike, and the two sides may reach an agreement to avoid a strike, the union said in a statement. The union has been working on the expiring contract for 10 months. The group is demanding “significant wage increases, more affordable health care, and automatic measures that reward experience and increase retention,” according to a union release.
Last week, the union's teachers branch reached a tentative agreement on a contract with the school district. Teachers are scheduled to vote on the proposal between May 8 and May 10.
June 14 is the last regularly scheduled school day for the district.
