Minneapolis schools, support staff reach deal to avoid strike
Updated 2:55 p.m.
The Minneapolis Public School district has reached a deal with leaders of its education support professionals union to avoid a strike in Minnesota’s fourth-largest district.
Announcement of the deal on Thursday followed 27 hours of bargaining and came hours after union leaders had set a strike date for May 14.
The unionized staff, who do a variety of classroom support work, were seeking wage increases, more affordable health care coverage and contract provisions allowing for automatic salary schedules based on years of experience.
Union leaders have not yet released details of the agreement, but Catina Taylor, president of the ESP chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, said in a statement emailed to journalists that she was proud of the deal.
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“We’re raising wages and we’re creating a compensation system that recognizes the value of experience in the district,” she wrote.
The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers represents about 1,600 support professionals and 3,300 teachers. Unionized teachers settled their contract with the district last month.
Details of that agreement, released this week, show a 4-percent salary increase the first year and a 5-percent salary increase the second year. Teachers also gained an hourly flat rate increase from $25 to $30 per hour.
Teachers are expected to vote on ratifying the tentative agreement next week. If ratified, the contract will go to the district school board for final approval.
The Minneapolis school district is currently facing an expected budget deficit of more than $100 million and has warned that music teachers, nurses, custodians, content experts, information technology workers, athletics, transportation and special education positions are all facing cuts.