St. Paul Teachers to Vote on Strike Authorization Amid Contract Negotiations

This summary article was compiled using multipe sources — see links below to read further.

The Summary: The St. Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE) plans to hold a vote on February 15 to decide whether to authorize a strike against the school district.

Background: St. Paul educators have been working without a contract since July, prompting concerns over issues such as staffing, recruitment and retention, health insurance costs, caseloads, and resources for students with special needs.

Union Action: SPFE's executive board unanimously approved the strike authorization vote, citing unresolved issues regarding mental health support, class sizes, recess guarantees, and wage increases for educational assistants.

Previous Strikes: In 2020, SPFE members engaged in a three-day strike over mental health resources, and in 2022, they considered a strike vote before reaching agreements on mental health support, class size caps, and other issues.

Current Status: SPFE has filed for mediation with the St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS), with the second mediation session scheduled for Tuesday. Meanwhile, SPPS Superintendent Joe Gothard is being considered for a leadership position in the Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin.

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❯ WCCO

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