Meeting could avert St. Paul teachers strike vote
The executive board of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers has called for a strike vote on Monday, Feb. 24.
But union president Mary Cathryn Ricker says the strike vote could be called off or delayed depending on the outcome of talks set for Feb. 20.
"We think February 20th is a great opportunity for us to find some common ground and make some mutual commitments on these priorities," Ricker said.
The union and district are working with a state mediator and have been in negotiations since May.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Sticking points include teacher pay, caps on class sizes, and staffing levels.
District officials say they're willing to work with teachers on those issues, but say many of the union's demands are too expensive.
St. Paul Public Schools superintendent Valeria Silva will talk with media Tuesday afternoon about how a strike could affect students in the district. If teachers strike, district officials say schools will close for the duration of the strike.
A group of St. Paul teachers plans to hold a rally 5 p.m. Tuesday in front of district headquarters before a planned school board meeting.