Minneapolis teachers strike for contract changes

In one of Minnesota’s largest districts, classes for about 29,000 students were paused while educators picketed outside schools Tuesday morning. The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers is asking for smaller class sizes, mental health support for teachers and students, and higher pay — especially for support staff who say they do not make a living wage. The district pledged to continue negotiations but called the walkout disappointing. Students will have access to online learning and breakfast and lunch at the school starting Wednesday.

Is this happening elsewhere? Teachers in the neighboring St. Paul School District had also scheduled a strike for Tuesday but announced a tentative agreement late Monday night. The district has about 34,000 students, and its teachers union is asking for largely the same things as those in Minneapolis. National labor leaders say teachers and support staff across the country are experiencing the same problems, but no other large districts were on the verge of a strike. 

Dig deeper: Listen to Cal Thomas’ report on The World and Everything in It podcast about breaking teachers unions’ control over the public school system.