MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS STRIKE IS IN NINTH DAY

This is from KTSP TV in Minneapolis.

Leaders of the Minneapolis School District say they have no more money to offer as teachers continue to picket outside schools.

Wednesday marks the ninth day of the strike, and students have been out of the classroom for more than a week.

Teachers are planning to hold a rally outside Minneapolis City Hall Wednesday morning as the district and union leaders continue to work on making a deal.

The struggle between the union and the district seems to be at a standstill because of money.

However, the union argues it’s more about Minneapolis Public Schools holding power.

“This is not just about a raise,” said Greta Callahan, President of the Teachers Chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. “This is about dignity. This is about respect. This is about treating those that are closest to the students with the respect and the love that they deserve and that they give to our students every single day.”

The school district hasn’t sent back a counter to the union since this past weekend because they say they can’t afford to.

“While MFT would like a counter-proposal from PMS, we do not have the finances to expand our contract proposal,” said Kimberly Caprini, treasurer for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Foodservice workers could soon join the teachers and other support staff on the picket line. 

We support the Minneapolis teachers. From the union's website, these are the class size demands:

Lower class sizes are a contract issue in Minneapolis.