Minneapolis educators are on strike. Union demands include living wages for support staff, funding for essential mental health resources, competitive pay for teachers, lower class sizes, and effective policies to recruit and retain educators of color.

After two pandemic years that have exhausted educators, accelerated the deterioration of public schooling, and put the national Red for Ed movement on the defensive, the Minneapolis strike has stakes that extend well beyond Minnesota. Jacobin’s Eric Blanc spoke with Greta Callahan and Shaun Laden, the presidents, respectively, of the teacher and educational support professionals (ESPs) chapters of Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT), Local 59.