The food service workers in Hastings Independent School District 200 (ISD200) who are members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 284 are headed into their third week of striking for a fair contract. The strike began on Feb. 7th when 35 workers stepped to the picket lines outside the district office and the Hastings Middle School. The district has made no new offers since their “last, best and final” offer prior to the strike on Feb. 2nd.

Last week, the union issued a press release stating that more than three dozen elected officials from the Senate and House of Representatives sent letters to Hastings School Board (HSB) leaders and the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) calling for the three parties to get back to the table to find a solution.

Monday, Feb. 27, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan tweeted their support of the food service workers, each sharing a link to a story from KSTP from Feb. 14th regarding the strike.

In two tweets Gov. Walz said, “As a former teacher, I know that each day our school food service workers ensure our kids have the nutrition they need to learn. They deserve to be paid fairly. I stand with Hastings food service workers in their right to collectively bargain and urge both sides to come together in good faith to find a solution.”

Lt. Gov. Flanagan stated, “Each day, food service workers help ensure our kids are successful in and out of the classroom. As Hasting food service workers continue to strike, I’m proud to be in solidarity as they fight for fair compensation. Let’s negotiate this in good faith for our kids and our schools.”

As the strike continues, the union has yet to release any details of a counteroffer for wages and other items they find acceptable. During US Representative Angie Craig’s visit on Feb. 17th, union officials made reference to information that was close to being released with what the union is looking for to get the food service workers back to work, that information has yet to be disclosed.