Recently 92% of Minneapolis teachers voted yes to going on a strike on Monday October 27. The goal of the strike is to push for smaller class sizes and higher wages.

The strike is not official yet until the Minneapolis Federation of Educators give at least a 10 day notice before the strike can begin. This means that teachers could go on strike as early as November 11th. Teachers hope a decision will be made on Thursday the 30th when the district leaders meet to discuss the strike.

The cause of the strike is from teachers wanting both class sizes and low wages. Recently class sizes have been very large, some having 40 students making it challenging for teachers to be able to control a classroom of students. Teacher wages have been so low that people who have worked for the district for many years can’t afford to retire.

Teachers have been working for a long time to improve these conditions since April, they had thought the problems would be settled by last summer. Teachers are saying that not many want to strike but district leaders have left them no choice. 

Strikes can impact so many families due to the long breaks that it can cause. Parents say that strikes can be challenging, some being unable to care for their kids because of work. They resort to having to take time off of work or having family and neighbors check on them.

On November 9th Minneapolis teachers reached a deal which will end the possibility of a strike. Details on the conditions have not been released yet. Teachers are very grateful to have made a decision after many months of waiting.