GEO stands in solidarity with our siblings, the teachers and education workers in Minneapolis, as they bravely go on strike. This historic job action – the first in half a century – by thousands of educators in Minneapolis is an inspiration for workers around the country as we struggle for fair compensation and better working conditions. Given the intermittent school closures that the pandemic has demanded for the past two years, we know that it could not have been an easy decision for these educators to go on strike. Yet, as fellow educators, we also know that our working conditions are students’ learning conditions. If educators are not given the resources they need to do their jobs, students will not get the education they deserve.
This belief that students deserve better comes out strongly in the workers’ demands: smaller class sizes, more mental health professionals in schools, and policies aiming for better retention of educators of colour. Equally important is the demand to increase pay for education support workers beyond the starvation wage of $28,000 at which their salaries are now capped. Public schools – and public universities no less – absolutely depend on these critical workers to keep the lights on. Education would not be possible without the work of custodial staff, cafeteria workers, and paraprofessionals. They deserve financial stability. They deserve to not have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. They deserve a living wage.
Their struggle is our struggle.
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