Anoka-Hennepin teachers union fails to reach agreement with district leadership during mediation
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The Anoka-Hennepin teachers union and school district met for hours on Monday but failed to reach a contract agreement.
“This was our fourth mediation session and we came to the table hopeful,” said John Wolhaupter, president of the Anoka-Hennepin teachers union. “Unfortunately, the district presented a proposal that we could not responsibly bring forward to our members for a vote.”
The union said that the proposal the district made on Monday was similar to an offer made earlier this year and included lower contributions to health insurance and salaries. It added that “certain school board members” were stalling progress at the bargaining table.
Earlier this month, school board members called a special meeting to “consider a resolution that outlines the management of schools” should the union strike.
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According to the district, it is constrained by a recent $22.2 million budget reduction and struggling to budget for the state’s new paid leave requirement.
“The district is committed to the goal of improving salary and benefits for employees while working within tight budget parameters,” district leaders said in a statement posted on the Anoka-Hennepin Schools website.
Another mediation session between the union and the district is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 2.
The Anoka-Hennepin school district is the largest in Minnesota. It has been negotiating a contract with its teacher union since July and entered mediation in November.
