Minneapolis teachers rally to protest unlawful wage freeze

Over 600 Minneapolis teachers and supporters rallied Tuesday at School Board offices to voice anger and disappointment at the board?s decision to ignore their contract. This summer, the board said it didn?t budget for the teachers? salary increases and would not pay them, despite the fact the increases are mandated by the contract the school board signed with the teachers in 2001.

Support for the teachers came from around the country and the labor movement. Before the school board meeting, Local 59 President Louise Sundin read an email message from American Federation of Teachers Sandra Feldman. Education Minnesota President Judy Schaubach said, ?We didn?t take a vow of poverty when we signed up to be teachers. The 70,000 teachers of Minnesota are behind you 100 percent.? John Williams, president of the Minneapolis Building Trades Council, was also on hand to lend support.

About a dozen teachers spoke to the School Board, in emotional testimony, according to witnesses. ?We teach our kindergartners to honor their word, and we expect the same of our elected officials,? said one teacher who spoke.

Most notable among the district’s violations, Sundin said, is its refusal to allow Minneapolis teachers their earned salary step increases and lane changes. Although the contract expired June 30, the Minnesota Public Employment Labor Relations Act, as well as specific language in the contract itself, mandates that the contract remains in effect until replaced.

“Good teachers are the most important factor in student achievement,” Sundin said. “This is hardly the way to attract the best and brightest to teach in Minneapolis schools.”

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Minneapolis teachers and supporters demonstrated outside school district headquarters Tuesday.

Photos by Dania Rajendra, Minneapolis Labor Review

Other violations of the contract, according to MFT officials, include defunding and non-granting of sabbatical leaves; selective implementation of new career-increment language (also known as longevity pay); and non-payment of back pay promised in the 2001-03 contract. The union has filed grievances with the district on these and other issues.

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“We don’t want to be part of an adversarial relationship,” Sundin said. “But we will stand up for the integrity of our contract, and continue to apply pressure, unless the district reconsiders this breach of our negotiated agreement.”

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