Minneapolis educators authorize strike

Members of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike against Minneapolis Public Schools.

After three days of voting, results were tallied late Monday evening, Oct. 27, 2025. Approximately 92% of members voted yes, with 92% casting ballots. All three MFE bargaining units – teachers, educational support professionals (ESPs), and adult educators – participated in the vote.

“No one wants to strike, but district leaders have left us no choice,” said Marcia Howard, MFE teacher chapter president. “For nearly seven months, we’ve waited for serious solutions to the real problems facing our students and schools. Instead, we get delays and dismissal. We are ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible, but we are also fed up and ready to take a stand.”

“Families are with us because they see what’s really going on in our schools,” said Catina Taylor, MFE ESP chapter president. “They know classrooms are packed, ESPs are barely getting by, and adult educators should be paid the same as the rest of their teacher colleagues. Parents get it. They want the same things we do.”

A video statement is available on the MFE YouTube channel.

A strike date, if necessary, will be announced at a later time. State law requires the union to give the district at least 10 days notice before the first day of the strike. MFE will NOT be filing an intent to strike on Wednesday. Another mediation session is scheduled for Thursday.

Families organizing with Minneapolis Families for Public Schools (MFPS) have begun mobilizing alongside educators in support of key contract demands, including nearly 1,000 families who have contacted district leadership since Oct. 17. Families are calling on district leadership to settle a strong contract with MFE that includes:

• Enforceable class size limits at every school
• More resources for special education and English Language Learners (ELL)
• Fair pay for educators – including ESPs and adult educators

“We believe MPS can be the best option for schools in our city if district leadership prioritizes what students and educators need in order to learn and teach,” said Christin Crabtree, MFPS member leader and parent of an MPS graduate and a senior at Roosevelt High. “We’re standing with educators as they negotiate their next contract from bargaining to the picket lines if necessary.”

In a survey of roughly 1,000 families, enforceable class-size caps and special education resources ranked as key issues. In addition, 92% of families stated they support or strongly support competitive wages for our educators.

“Our educators are an extension of us as parents and families in the classroom, and fair wages mean better staff and family retention,” said Shakiya Carter, parent of three students at Cityview Community School and member leader of MFPS. “I support fair wages and stand in solidarity with educators not just because they deserve it, but because it is what we also want as families.”

“We are hearing stories from families of classes with more than 40 students, of students crammed into classrooms and sitting 2 or 3 to a seat, and of special education students not getting IEP minutes met. That’s not ok,” said Becca Dryden, parent of students at Hale and Field and member leader of MFPS. “Right now, class size and caseload limits aren’t enforceable. That means year after year, school by school, families have to chase after district leadership when class sizes and caseloads get too large. That is not an approach that builds stability or sustainability, which are what we need and deserve in MPS.”

Families will continue to urge district leadership to settle a strong contract, including by joining educators at a rally hosted by MFE on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 4:30 p.m. at the MPS Davis Center (1250 W. Broadway Ave, Minneapolis).