Protect Care, Lower Costs, Put Workers and Families First

The American people are the ones who suffer when the government shuts down. This crisis was avoidable but President Trump and Republicans chose to defund healthcare rather than keep the government open. The shutdown will force hospitals to close, strip millions of their health insurance and drive up premiums for millions more.

The fight is about more than a budget line. It’s about whether families can afford both rent and healthcare. It’s about whether educators, healthcare workers and public employees have the resources and respect they

Student debt is no longer just a burden—it’s become a barrier to the American Dream.

Minnesota ranks fifth in the nation for student debt, with the average student debt load more than $35,000 for state college students.

That’s why we created our Degrees, Not Debt program. Your union wants to help relieve your debt burden and make college more affordable and accessible to all. This is particularly important for our public schools. If teaching becomes an unaffordable profession, it will become even more difficult to attract and retain high-quality educators.

We support you with our training options

In addition to union business at the Representative Convention, delegates elected a new officer team. Education Minnesota Vice President Monica Byron was elected after running unopposed for president. Marty Fridgen of United Teachers of South Washington County was elected vice president and Ryan Fiereck of Education Minnesota-St. Francis was elected secretary-treasurer.

The new officer slate will take office on July 1 and will serve three-year terms.

Find the full article here

Enhance your personal and professional skills at Education Minnesota’s Summer Leadership Conference.

This year’s event will be held Aug. 5-6 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.

Summer Leadership Conference is different from our Summer Seminar of years past, with an emphasis on relationship building and shared experiences in a cohort structure. Come as an individual – or as a team – to develop or enhance your union leadership skills.

Registration opening in early May!

Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett sent a letter responding to the U.S. Department of Education’s request last week for all state and local education leaders to certify compliance with Title VI, a federal law that prohibits racial discrimination in schools and universities that receive federal funds. In summary, MDE has rejected the DOE’s request to sign the letter and has challenged the DOE’s authority to require it as a condition of receiving federal funds.

After noting that “MDE has been faithfully implementing federal education programs in accordance with federal law