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Teachers union: Deal reached 6 six months after contract ended
The statewide teachers union reports only about half of Minnesota’s districts have settled, making it the slowest pace in 20 years.
HENNEPIN COUNTY, Minn. — The state’s largest school district has tentatively agreed to a new contract for the first time in more than six months.
“This contract is nothing like we’ve ever negotiated before,” said Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) Local 7007 President Val Holthaus.
The union and the district have been negotiating since the contract expired last June. AHEM filed for mediation with the Bureau of Mediation Services on Nov. 22 and the first session was scheduled for Jan. 3, 2024. Holthaus says the two met with mediators twice, calling them marathon sessions.
“They knew the teachers were united and they knew teachers were rallying in numbers they had never seen before,” said Holthaus.
From gathering at board meetings to walking out at the end of school days, the union said it was calling attention to a lack of pay and short staffing. Holthaus says the district is down about 20 teachers.
“The pandemic was a huge bell weather of how the state of education has been,” said Holthaus. “We needed to do something to attract teachers to Anoka-Hennepin and keep our teachers in Anoka-Hennepin.”
The tentative deal includes an 8% pay raise over the two-year contract, a $750 bonus, added insurance contributions and sick day credits that apply toward insurance premiums when a teacher retires.
The statewide teacher’s union, Education Minnesota (EdMN), released new data Thursday and reports, that for the first time in 2024, more than 50% of its regular local school districts have some sort of settlement.
That amounts to about 174 unions that have settled across the state. Another 164 have not yet – EdMN reports that’s the slowest pace of settlements in 20 years, which is how far back its reliable data goes.
And like AHEM, it says at least 45 unions have filed for mediation, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.
It is perplexing to some experts, especially given the legislature backed billions of education dollars this past session. Anoka-Hennepin received $65 million, according to AHEM.
“I’m hoping that the movement that Anoka-Hennepin teachers made and the negotiating team for the district made will set a precedent to other school districts and also attract students to go into education,” said Holthaus.
The district provided a statement about the tentative deal that would take effect immediately, writing, “The agreement was reached within the budget authority provided to the negotiators and the district is expecting AMEM membership to ratify and the School Board to approve the contract at their Feb. 26 meeting.”
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MINNEAPOLIS — No matter how you celebrate the holidays, El Sazon Cocina and Tragos has the seasonal flavors to make it even better.
The restaurant is known for its authentic Latin and Mexican dishes and is located at 5309 Lyndale Ave. S in Minneapolis. Some of its new specialty cocktails include gingerbread, mint, cider and traditional Mexican flavors.
If you’re hungry, El Sazon offers tacos, bowls, enchiladas and more. Cristian de Leon, chef and owner, and Zoilo Ruacho, mixologist and owner, visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share a few of these specialty seasonal items.
MINNEAPOLIS — No matter how you celebrate the holidays, El Sazon Cocina and Tragos has the seasonal flavors to make it even better.
The restaurant is known for its authentic Latin and Mexican dishes and is located at 5309 Lyndale Ave. S in Minneapolis. Some of its new specialty cocktails include gingerbread, mint, cider and traditional Mexican flavors.
If you’re hungry, El Sazon offers tacos, bowls, enchiladas and more. Cristian de Leon, chef and owner, and Zoilo Ruacho, mixologist and owner, visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share a few of these specialty seasonal items.
Sergeant Tony Bryand spent 10 months in the Middle East, and never got to see his stepdaughter perform – until Saturday
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Few things match the mystery of the theater or the warmth that comes from the holidays. At the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, that warmth was easy to spot Saturday night.
Hundreds gathered to watch the musical White Christmas, but for one person, the show wasn’t the most important part of their evening.
It was who would be there.
“Me and her have had a really good bond since I’ve came into her life,” Sergeant Tony Bryand said.
Sgt. Bryand has been away on deployment in Kuwait for the last 10 months, returning home just in time for the holidays. On stage, his stepdaughter, nine-year-old Jenalia, plays Susan Waverly.
“Me being gone is a big change, really hard on her,” Sgt. Bryand said, choking up. “Hard on me.”
During the preshow announcement, emcee Nancy Nelson walked out, set to announce the start of the show.
Instead, she was interrupted by Jenalia.
“On behalf of the theater, Nancy, we would all like to thank you for all you do!” Jenalia said, surprising Nancy.
“You should have them, and I know someone who wants to give them to you, darling,” Nelson said in response. “Turn around!”
In front of the crowd, Jenalia turned and saw Sgt. Bryand, running into his arms, reuniting the two after months apart.
“He has not seen her on this stage, in this show, but he will tonight!” Nelson said while the two embraced.
Sgt. Bryand sat and watched his stepdaughter perform during the show, the nerves he had conquered, and now reunited for the holidays.
“Gonna give her a memory, gonna give us a memory that we’ll never forget,” he said.
