New talks scheduled in Red Wing teachers strike

RED WING (AP) -- Striking Red Wing teachers and administrators will return to the negotiation table Monday, school Superintendent Kelly Smith said.

Representatives of both sides will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Prairie Island Government Center.

Red Wing schools will likely remain closed all week due to the strike by the 220 teachers. Teachers have been without a contract since July 2001 and they haven't been able to agree with administrators about salaries and health insurance benefits.

District officials had hoped to resume at least some classes with replacement teachers on Monday. But Smith said Friday that a shortage of replacement special education teachers made it impossible to reopen.

He noted that some potential replacement teachers received letters saying:

"Education Minnesota Red Wing will impose discipline against teachers who cross picket lines. The union will revoke your membership or ban membership applications for up to 10 years affecting your local, state, and national union memberships."

The letter, dated Oct. 8, was signed by "Teachers of the Red Wing School District."

Sue Wolter, president of the union local, said the letter wasn't meant to intimidate potential replacements. "Crossing a picket line is an individual choice," she said. "If they choose to do that, fine, but we want them to be informed when they make that decision."

District officials continued Friday to negotiate with three other bargaining groups that have filed intent-to-strike notices.

Talks between the school district and representatives of the Red Wing Educational Support Personnel Association broke off after a five-hour meeting.

RWESPA President Barb Seaberg said all but three of her 92 union members have been laid off since the teachers went on strike Tuesday. Seaberg both sides agreed to meet again Thursday, after they receive more data from the district regarding finances.

Mediation also is scheduled for Wednesday for cooks and Nov. 11 for custodians. The cooks have not filed an intent-to-strike notice.

The custodians, who are affiliated with the Teamsters Local 320, filed an intent-to-strike notice earlier this week. They are in the midst of a 10-day cooling off period.