St. Paul Teachers Union Sets Strike Vote Date

ST. PAUL (AP) - Leaders of the St. Paul teachers union have scheduled a strike vote.

Members of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers will vote Feb. 24 on whether to authorize union leaders to call a strike.

The union has been in contract negotiations with district officials since May. Sticking points include teacher compensation, class sizes and the standardized testing.

Union president Mary Catherine Ricker says discussion of a potential strike shows teachers are frustrated over negotiations.

If the union's 3,200 members vote in favor of a strike, union leadership would then need to approve the strike and notify the district 10 days before striking.

District officials say they're committed to negotiating with teachers, but say the union's demands would cost the district as much as $150 million.