Minneapolis teachers go on strike for better pay and smaller class sizes
CBSN
On Tuesday morning, about 3,500 Minneapolis educators and support staff began a strike, calling for better pay and smaller class sizes, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers said. In response, the city's public schools canceled all classes and extracurricular activities for some 29,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade, and will continue to do so until the strike is over.
The union, joined by the Teachers Education Support Professionals, announced the strike Monday after the union and the school district failed to reach an agreement on its demands, which included increased pay for education support professionals and teachers, increased mental health support for students and smaller class sizes. It also wants more staff of color.
"We are on strike for safe and stable schools," president of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Greta Callahan said at a press conference Tuesday. "We're on strike for systemic change. We're on strike for our students, the future of our city and the future of Minneapolis Public Schools."
