Minneapolis educators, district reach tentative deal; strike averted

The Minneapolis Federation of Educators reached a tentative agreement with Minneapolis Public Schools Saturday evening, staving off a strike scheduled for Tuesday.

The agreement invests in solutions that will help students thrive – smaller, enforceable class sizes, strong special education supports and caseload limits, and better pay for educators. 

“This agreement is proof that when educators, families, and our community work together, we have the power to build brighter futures for our students and a more vibrant Minneapolis,” said Marcia Howard, MFE’s teacher chapter president. “By coming together around real solutions, we’ve taken an important step toward the stability and unity our schools and city deserve.”

“When we put money where it matters most – students and the educators who work with them every day – it helps build trust in MPS and bring families back to our district,” said Catina Taylor, MFE’s ESP chapter president.

The deal covers three different contracts for teachers, educational support professionals, and adult educators in MPS. The next step is for the full MFE membership to decide whether they want to accept the tentative agreement. A ratification vote will be scheduled at a later date.

After months of negotiations, MFE members voted last month to strike; the strike was set for Nov. 11. Bargaining began in April between MFE and the district, which are required by state law to bargain a new contract every two years.