Minneapolis teachers have voted to authorize a strike after months of unsuccessful negotiations with the Minneapolis Public Schools district. The decision followed three days of voting and came after the teachers’ union and district leaders failed to reach a contract agreement despite several rounds of talks.
The teachers’ union, represented by the Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE), says the vote is not about wanting to walk off the job, but about frustration over what they describe as the district’s lack of action in addressing critical issues. “No one wants to strike, but district leaders have left us no choice,” said Marcia Howard, the union’s teacher chapter president. “For nearly seven months, we’ve waited for serious solutions to the real problems facing our students and schools. Instead, we get delays and dismissal. We are ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible, but we are also fed up and ready to take a stand.”
Negotiations between the union and the district have stretched on for months, with both sides agreeing that teachers and students deserve better support but disagreeing on how to make that happen within the district’s financial limits. The union is pushing for improved pay, smaller class sizes, and stronger student support services, saying these changes are essential to improve education quality and teacher retention.
Lead union negotiator Lizz Done emphasized that the goal is not to strike but to secure a fair deal. “Our goal is to settle our contract. We will do everything it takes. If we need to be in mediation all night, we’re going to be there,” she said. “Our goal is not to go on strike. Our goal is to settle the best contract for our students and our staff.”
The district, however, says it’s working within serious financial challenges. Officials point to a $75 million budget shortfall this school year, largely due to the end of temporary federal pandemic funding and a decline in student enrollment. That financial strain, they argue, limits how much the district can offer in contract negotiations.
Union leaders dispute the claim that there isn’t enough money to meet their demands. They argue that the issue is not the lack of funds but how the district allocates its budget. According to the union, administrative salaries have increased by more than 30 percent in recent years, and too much money is being spent on outside contracts instead of directly supporting classrooms and teachers.
In a statement released Monday, Minneapolis Public Schools said it shares the same priorities as the union but must act responsibly given future financial uncertainties. “Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and the Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE) are aligned on values, and we share the same primary goals for our contracts as we support our students and staff,” the district said. “MPS is committed to quickly reaching an agreement with MFE that works within available resources and prepares the district to navigate anticipated revenue reductions in the coming years.”
While the strike authorization marks a major step, it doesn’t mean a strike will begin immediately. The union is required to give the district at least 10 days’ notice before taking that step, and both sides have said they remain committed to further negotiations. Talks are set to resume Thursday, and the union has planned a rally outside district headquarters on Tuesday to show solidarity among educators.
For now, teachers say they hope continued discussions will lead to a fair resolution and prevent a strike that could disrupt classrooms across Minneapolis. Still, many educators insist that if progress isn’t made soon, they are prepared to take action to demand the respect and resources they believe their students and schools deserve.
