Negotiations Continue On 5th Day Of Minneapolis Educator Strike
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - It may be the weekend, but negotiations are continuing to try to end the Minneapolis teachers strike.
However, there's no deal in sight between the union and the school district on Day 5 of strike. The two sides continue to debate classroom sizes, mental health support, wage increases, and better protections for educators of color.
Saturday's negotiations started at 10 a.m. and in the afternoon the district sent out a proposal covering wage increases for teachers and education support professionals. According to the district, the proposal would set starting teacher salary at over $50,000.
Educators say they've made their demands clear, adding that they want to be back in the classroom as soon as possible. They are also asking to speak directly to Superintendent Ed Graff and the school board chair.
"This strike will continue," said Shaun Laden, the local ESP chapter president, at a daytime rally. "Our members will have none of it, none of the temporary stuff. We've done this before, we don't need to see how it's going to go, we don't need to learn about the impact, we need it in the contract."
On Friday night, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Education Support Professionals said that the district is "committed to the status quo and are not even pretending to try to end this strike." A joint statement by the groups said that the strike will continue as there'll be no settlement for anything less than what their counterparts in St. Paul won.
"MFT is eager to continue bargaining for the safe and stable schools our students deserve and will be back at the bargaining table on Saturday and Sunday," the statement said.
On Friday morning, educators picketed across the city, gathering on overpasses at various schools in Minneapolis. They've been on strike since Tuesday.
MORE: Minneapolis Teachers Strike FAQ: What You Need To Know
Minneapolis students might have to skip spring break this year to make up the time they're missing. Minneapolis Public Schools says a lot of the older students will have to make up the missed class time either over spring break or by extending the school year, or by reducing professional development days.
Elementary students will need to start making up days if the strike goes past Monday.
In the meantime, students and parent-volunteers are organizing gatherings to provide child care. At Shiloh Temple, North High School's student council president organized a get-together for students to gather to make food, help tutor one another, and do activities.
