MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Minneapolis educators say they plan to rally Monday for higher pay for hourly educators on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Educators are demanding higher wages and benefits for education support professionals and hourly workers in Minneapolis public schools, according to a statement from the Minneapolis Teachers’ Federation.
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“The Minneapolis ESPs aren’t earning enough to get by, they’re not earning enough to stay, and they’re not earning enough to accept the status quo,” said MFT ESP Chapter President Shaun Laden.
Educational support professionals, which include special education assistants and child care providers, are negotiating a new contract with the MPS, the statement said.
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The ESPs are asking for an increase in starting pay from $20,000 to $35,000 a year by increasing hours and increasing hourly pay. The group is also negotiating more affordable health insurance for individuals and families.
The statement said more than 10% of professional education support jobs in the MPS are unfilled due to the staffing crisis during Omicron’s ramp-up.
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Organizers say they plan to march through downtown Minneapolis starting at 2 p.m. Monday.
