'Educators Are Fed Up': St. Paul Teachers Vote To Strike

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- St. Paul teachers voted Thursday night in favor of going on strike.

The teachers' union said more than 80 percent of the teachers, assistants and other professionals who participated in the vote opted to walk off the job. A strike date will be announced next week.

The St. Paul Federation of Educators have been negotiating with the school district since last spring over requests like mental health staff and interpreters in schools.

"No one wants to strike, but St. Paul educators are fed up," said Nick Faber, the president of the teachers' union. "District leaders aren't listening to the people who know our students best – the educators and parents who are with them every day."

The union last went on strike in 1946.

Joe Gothard, the superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, released a statement after Thursday night's vote, saying that the district is "extremely disappointed" that teachers are moving toward a strike.

"Our students, families, coworkers and community expect all of us to work together and avoid a strike, and that's what I am committed to doing," he said, adding: "I can assure you the district is doing everything possible to reach an agreement before a strike happens."

State law requires the teachers' union to give at least 10 days notice for the first day of the strike.