Twin teacher strikes possible in Minneapolis and St. Paul

March 7, 2022

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Teachers in Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools could go on strike as soon as Tuesday over demands for higher wages, smaller class sizes and more mental health services, in twin walkouts that could shut more than 60,000 students out of classes.

Teachers in both districts, like many around the country, say they’re exhausted by the taxing demands of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. And in Minnesota, they feel the state should tap some of its whopping $9.25 billion budget surplus to help.

While negotiations continued through the weekend, the sides have been far apart, and school administrators have been preparing for a shutdown. They say virtually all classes would be canceled in a strike, though some services and school sports would continue.