Anoka-Hennepin teachers’ union planning for possible strike vote
Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota, the union representing more than 3,200 educators in the state’s largest school district, set up a strike office on Tuesday in Coon Rapids.
The union and district shared that the sticking points include pay and healthcare premiums on a new contract.
The AHEM executive board met on Monday and approved a strike authorization vote.
RELATED: Anoka-Hennepin Schools dealing with a budget crunch
“It’s defiantly not what we want I want to be clear this isn’t something that is inevitable for us,” said Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota President John Wolhaupter. “We believe looking at the district’s finances, they’ve improved over the course of the fall, that what we are asking is affordable for the district and necessary.”
Union members will take a strike vote on Dec. 17–20, with results to be announced Dec. 20.
If approved, AHEM will file its official intent to strike the week of Dec. 22.
A strike could begin the first full week of January, according to AHEM.
The district and union have been in mediation, working on a new two-year contract.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS asked district leadership for an on-camera interview on Tuesday, but were told it wasn’t an option and that further negotiation details couldn’t be shared because both sides are in mediation.
Anoka-Hennepin Schools sent a statement instead that reads in part.
“The School Board appreciates the important role teachers serve and has been actively engaged in negotiations with Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) regarding updated terms and conditions for their working agreement.
“The negotiation process has included eight meetings to date, starting in July. Five meetings were held prior to entering mediation in November and December. The district is committed to the goal of improving terms and conditions for employees while working within tight budget parameters.
“Ensuring financial and operational stability for the district is a priority. At its regularly scheduled meeting tonight, the School Board completed a three-phase $22.2 million budget reduction and reallocation process. Looking ahead, obligations for unfunded mandates such as Minnesota Paid Leave also provide additional budget pressure.
“The School Board is committed to finding solutions for an employment agreement for teachers with the resources that are available through the negotiation process.“
“They’ve given us an offer that would provide a salary benefit — a salary that is competitive or they’ve given us money to make health insurance that is more affordable,” Wolhaupter said. “We really need both of those to make Anoka-Hennepin where educators really want to work and a destination to bring in the best teachers for our students.”
“This is not where educators in Anoka-Hennepin want to be,” said teacher Kelley Stowell, who has been in the district for 28 years. “We just feel we need to be appreciated and valued for the work that we do.”
