Talks between striking teachers and the Crosby-Ironton school district continued Wednesday morning, the start of the eighth week of the walkout by 87 educators.

After several weeks with no communication, negotiations resumed at 3 p.m. Tuesday with the help of the state Bureau of Mediation Services, the union said. Representatives of Education Minnesota, Superintendent Linda Lawrie and the school district's attorney were among those participating, the union said.

The group met late into the night, took a break to sleep, then resumed talks Wednesday morning, said Janice Johnson, a spokesperson for the Crosby-Ironton local of Education Minnesota.

Earlier, a School Board member had said an announcement about the negotiations would be made at 9 a.m., but "he misspoke," she said. "We're still waiting for any word."

Outside Crosby-Ironton High School Tuesday afternoon, striking teachers were hopeful that progress would be made in negotiations.

Key issues in the strike, which began Feb. 9, are health insurance for retired teachers and current employees and wages. In mid-March, Education Minnesota filed suit against the school district over the hiring of dozens of strike replacement workers at $300 a day ? twice the rate of pay for beginning teachers in the district.

Tuesday afternoon, as negotiators for the school district and Education Minnesota met, picketers were cautiously optimistic about progress.

"There's hope -- there's talking going on," said Marc Doepner-Hove, vice president of Education Minnesota. He and members of several Education Minnesota locals joined the Crosby-Ironton strikers on the picketline and at their weekly rally.

"I commend you on your high spirits," Val Wier, president of Eveleth-Gilbert Local 1991, told the strikers at their rally. She and other teachers' representatives from around the state presented money and food donations. Other local unions represented included Bemidji, Blaine, Bloomington, Brainerd and Minneapolis.

The strikers also were joined by members of AFSCME who work in the Crosby-Ironton school district and under state law cannot honor the teachers' picketline.

Every Tuesday night since the start of the strike, teachers and supporters held a rally at a banquet room in an Ironton bar. The gatherings combine serious talk and humor to boost the spirits of the strikers and their families. At this week's rally, Janet Kujat, 2nd vice president of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, led everyone in a rousing rendition of "Solidarity Forever."

Supporters from other Education Minnesota locals lined the sidewalk in front of the high school, where a new wing is under construction.

?

Strikers, family members and supporters held hands as Janet Kujat (below) and other Minneapolis teachers led them in the singing of "Solidarity Forever."