Anoka-Hennepin teachers set Jan. 8 strike date; contract talks resume next week
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The Anoka-Hennepin teachers union has set Jan. 8 as a strike date if contract talks don’t yield a new two-year contract. Talks are expected to continue next week.
More than 98 percent of union members voted last week to authorize a strike. Under Minnesota law, the filing triggers a 10-day cooling-off period before a strike can begin.
On Tuesday, the union said that it would meet with the district in a mediated session on Dec. 29, offering hope that a deal could be reached before Jan. 8.
Union leaders say hikes in health care costs would effectively cut pay by hundreds of dollars under terms the district is currently proposing.
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School board members called a special meeting Monday night to “consider a resolution that outlines the management of schools” should the teachers strike.
Board members say they are dealing with a budget reduction of more than $22 million and must also budget for the state’s new paid leave requirements.
Both sides say they remain committed to reaching a deal and avoiding a strike.
Anoka-Hennepin is Minnesota’s largest school district. It has been negotiating with teachers for several months to reach a deal on a new two-year contract. Mediation began in November.
