Mediation session scheduled Tuesday as Anoka-Hennepin teacher strike looms

Another mediation session is planned on Tuesday as contract talks continue between Minnesota’s largest school district and its 3,200 educators.

Teachers at Anoka-Hennepin Schools could go on strike as early as Thursday if a deal on a contract isn’t reached. Both sides met on Friday, but there was no significant progress in negotiations.

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Families brace for strike

With about 38,000 students in the district, many parents are preparing for a possible strike. 

Alison Kacer, a parent with two children in the district, is among those concerned about school closures.

“I think the stressful part comes from not knowing what is going to happen and Thursday is coming soon … and they don’t have the support in place to help everyone and so that’s stressful … and the finances of finding child care on short notice,” Kacer said.

The district informed families via email that no district-wide alternative childcare is available, but a non-school day program exists for a limited number of families who are enrolled.

Union, district at odds

Union members with Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) say they are being forced to choose between relief from higher health care costs or minimal wage increases.

The school district says it’s traded three financial proposals with AHEM since September.

According to information on the district website, as of September, the teachers’ union was asking for an 11% pay increase — a figure Anoka-Hennepin says it can’t afford. The district countered with a 6.58% raise.

The district says those proposals have shifted during mediation, but details are not public.