Statement on MFE Strike Authorization Vote

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. 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. The school board has been closely involved and has already authorized resources above what had been originally allocated, with a focus on our top shared priority of class size.

MPS presented a comprehensive package of proposals covering all contracts on October 3, followed by revised proposals on October 8 in response to feedback from the union. A little before 4:00 p.m. on October 21, at the most recent and final scheduled mediation session before MFE’s scheduled strike vote, MPS received partial responses from the teacher chapter in response to the District’s proposals submitted on October 3 and 8.

To date, these comprehensive proposals presented to MFE address many of the union’s stated priorities, including the following:

Class sizes 

• MPS is proposing to accept most of MFE’s initial proposal for class sizes for PreK to 5th grade but wants to maintain differentiated class sizes at schools that have 70% or more of their students who qualify for educational benefits (formerly free or reduced meals). As proposed by the District, the contract includes enforceability language. 
• Additionally, due to physical space constraints, an initial analysis reveals that MFE’s class size proposal would exceed available classroom space at multiple sites including Barton, Emerson, Green Central, Justice Page, and Northrop, which would mean that existing students would have to be moved to other schools to manage their capacity limitations. Many other schools (Anthony, Dowling, Howe, Kenwood, Loring, and Washburn) would be at their physical space capacity, limiting those programs’ ability to grow from their current enrollment.

*Accepts MFE's initial proposal

More paid time off and longevity pay for ESPs

• Paid school breaks (MEA, Winter Break, and Spring Break) for ESPs. 
• Substantial increases in longevity pay to enhance compensation for long-serving ESPs. 

Increased pay for adult educators

• A minimum 6% increase for adult educators over the two years in addition to automatic steps.
• Adult Education is funded separately from the District’s Birth–22 programs. MFE’s current proposal would require the District to either subsidize Adult Education using funds generated by—and intended for—Birth–22 students, or limit access to Adult Education classes. Reduced access would decrease future revenue, creating a cycle of ongoing cuts and financial instability.
• Additionally, as Community Education prepares for anticipated cuts in federal funding, it is critical to maintain a fund balance to ensure we can continue programming for students enrolled in K-12. MFE’s proposal would require the use of fund balance at a time where the federal funding is likely to be reduced.  

Caseloads

• MPS has accepted adding contract language to align and in many cases exceed state recommendations for student ratios and special education assistants (SEA). 

Most recent MPS proposals

If MPS agrees to MFE’s partial proposal from just one chapter, which is estimated to cost approximately $72 million, it will result in: 

• Significant staff reductions across the organization, at both the central office and in schools. 
• Scaled back or eliminated programs and services. MPS will have to make adjustments to programs and services to fulfill contract requirements. 
• Reduced ability to respond to anticipated state and federal funding changes. MPS relies on our fund balance for unexpected funding challenges.    

During each bargaining cycle the district has bargaining priorities which include prioritizing resources for staff who have the lowest wages. That is represented in the proposals passed to MFE. The district has a total of 14 bargaining groups and must allocate resources in a way that makes working for MPS competitive and fair as we seek to both attract and retain the best staff.

Learn more on the MFE Negotiations page