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Brief
Minneapolis teachers rallied outside the Minneapolis Public Schools central office during the first day of their strike on March 8, 2022. Photo by Rilyn Eischens/Minnesota Reformer
Teacher pay proposals from the Minneapolis Public Schools and the teachers union remain millions of dollars apart as the teachers’ strike stretches into its third day, according to summaries published by the district Wednesday.
The update is the public’s first look at the proposals on the bargaining table since December, when the district and union entered mediation — which takes place behind closed doors. It shows a gulf of at least $75 million between the district and union offers, even after the union dropped its initial demand for 20% raises in the first year.
Wages have been a central issue in negotiations. The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers argues the district’s teacher pay isn’t keeping up with surrounding school districts and that education support professionals, like special education assistants, aren’t earning a living wage.
Meanwhile, the district says it supports boosting pay but can’t afford to do so in the face of a projected multi-million-dollar budget deficit.
The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Here’s a look at the wage proposals published by the district:
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