Politics & Government
St. Paul Teachers Union Reaches Tentative Agreement With District, Averting Strike
Details of the agreement, which must be approved by workers, were not immediately available.
![A file photo of St. Paul teachers demonstrating for a new contract.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23833043/20240305/051241/styles/patch_image/public/23833043-05160335158-p1012203-1024x683___05171211561.jpg)
March 5, 2024
The St. Paul Federation of Educators, representing 3,700 teachers and hourly school workers, announced on Tuesday a tentative deal with the school district on raises and benefits, averting a looming strike that could have canceled classes indefinitely.
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“Our union is glad to have had the chance to collaborate with our school board members and settle a fair contract that supports our students and respects and honors the professionalism of our educators,” SPFE President Leah VanDassor said in a statement.
Details of the agreement, which must be approved by workers, were not immediately available.
Find out what's happening in Minneapoliswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Ninety-two percent of teachers and hourly school workers voted to strike and planned to walk off the job on Monday until a deal was reached.
The union wanted $7,500 raises for teachers across the board in the first year of the contract and a 7.5% raise the following year. The district had countered with 2-3% raises in the first year and 1.75% in the second.
The union also wanted lower health insurance costs, more mental health staff, more training in “restorative practices,” and reduced caseloads for educators working with special needs students.
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