A lot’s happening in Minneapolis, where MFT educators kicked off their strike Tuesday morning; and in St. Paul, where SPFE members landed a last-minute contract agreement with the school district and avoided a strike. As parents with kids in both districts, we’re proud to stand in solidarity with educators fighting for meaningful contract changes to improve their lives and provide a better education for our children. Let’s remember: Our state has been under-investing in public schools for decades. Now with a $9 billion surplus, we need action and leadership – from the streets to the Capitol – to get resources to our schools.
Here’s what to know, and how you can show your support.
Minneapolis
Tuesday morning, after months of trying to bargain in good faith with Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), educators with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers went on strike. They’re standing up for:
- A living wage for Education Support Professionals to stabilize this critical workforce
- Systemic changes to improve the recruitment and retention of educators or color
- More mental health supports for students
- Lowered class sizes
- Competitive compensation for licensed staff to stop the exodus of teachers from MPS
“Our members are willing to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes, for the schools our students deserve,” MFT Teacher Chapter president Greta Callahan, said at a press conference this morning. “We are in a fight for the soul of our city right now.”
Whether you’re a parent or a community member, Minneapolis educators need your support. I (Trisha) will be taking my MPS 5th grader to walk the picket line for as long as it takes to win a fair contract. Take action now to show your solidarity with striking MFT members:
- Use MFT’s toolkit to write a personal letter to the editor of your local newspaper to tell them why we must invest in Minneapolis Public Schools
- Tell the school board to support MFT educators and students
- Donate to the MFT 59 Strike Fund
- Share the MFT Bargaining Demands
- Tell the school board to support MFT educators and students by sending a letter to MPS Superintendent Ed Graff and signing the support petition.
- Sign up to provide food, coffee, or words of support to striking educators
According to MFT, the Minneapolis Public School system has been allocated $2.49 million in pandemic relief funds to be used for increasing staff and staff compensation. MPS has also under-projected its budget surpluses by an average of $19 million for the past four years; and the district’s reserve funds have doubled in the past three years. While MPS executives drag their feet and claim they can’t afford to meet educators’ reasonable demands, we know the truth: we have enough for all, and our educators and students are worth these meaningful investments in our schools.
St. Paul
Late Monday evening, St. Paul educators with the St. Paul Federation of Educators reached a tentative agreement with the St. Paul Public School District, narrowly avoiding a strike and winning major contract improvements that support educators, improve learning for our kids, and strengthen our communities, including:
- Permanent improved class size language
- Increases in student mental health staffing
- Significant increases in wages for all members, particularly for our Education Assistants; and
- A substantial increase in the one-time recognition payment for all SPFE members from federal American Recovery Plan (ARP) funds.
I (Sabrina) am thrilled that St. Paul educators were able to stand strong and win a contract that affirms the value school staff bring to our communities, and my kids are happy to be at school today, supported by the educators they love and trust, and comforted to know that the folks who care for them at school are being taken care of, too. Join me in celebrating this victory: watch SPFE’s joyful press conference from Monday night.
We have enough for all. With more than a $9 billion dollar state budget surplus, it’s time for the state of Minnesota to fully fund education, so every child has an equal opportunity to receive a high-quality education and thrive – now, and into adulthood. The money is there to give all students and educators – across the state – the resources they need.
