Minneapolis Public Schools Labor Contract Negotiations Overview

Updated 3/30/21

Our Strategy

Our actions and agreements at the bargaining table will support and align with the District’s larger values, priorities, and promises to students.

Fundamental to this process is understanding that as MPS employees, no matter our roles, must work together with everyone at the table to serve the needs of Minneapolis’ diverse student body and community.  

MPS will accomplish its work by:

• Maintaining a deep focus on students and student learning
• Recognizing the needs of and work to elevate our lowest-compensated employees.
• Communicating accurate information openly and transparently.
• Understanding union priorities and identifying areas of common interest and opportunities to build and sustain lasting partnerships.
• Establishing and maintaining financial expenditure parameters that support the District’s financial solvency and align with the District’s intentional multi-year plan.
• Engaging in this work in accordance with the District’s Climate Framework.
• Preparing and planning for timely negotiations so that all employees are working under a current contract.

Proposed MPS priorities for 2021-2023 contract negotiations:

• Prioritize students and ensure students remain at the center of our priorities and approach.
• Promote learning and working environments that welcome, respect and value diversity and focus on student achievement and outcomes.
• Promote recruitment, training and retention of a diverse cadre of educators and staff with the skills and commitment needed to ensure all students achieve their full potential.
• Support staffing and staff transfer language focused on supporting student learning and promoting the recruitment and retention of staff of color.
• Work towards 100% participation on the MPS comprehensive health plan which ensures healthcare increases are distributed fairly across bargaining groups and covered primarily by the District.
• Create consistency in contract language across bargaining units to improve operational effectiveness.

Guiding Values

• Student-Focused Outcomes – We will promote a culture that is centered around students and provides for equitable access to comprehensive learning opportunities so that all students can achieve their full potential.  
• Equity – We will identify and integrate contractual language that underscores our priority on equity and achievement for students and employees. 
• Respect – We recognize the need to work together to support and foster success among Minneapolis’ children and youth and commit to listening and seeking to understand our union partners and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
• Transparency and Accountability – We will share information openly with our union partners and will not shy away from difficult conversations that inform decisions.
• Sustainability – We must and will work within our budget to meet financial obligations.