Anoka-Hennepin teacher negotiations drag on

The latest round of talks between teachers and the Anoka-Hennepin school district ended without a contract agreement.

Union negotiators and school district representatives met for six hours Thursday, but failed to make progress on sticking points over salary and compensation.

Negotiators are working with a state mediator, but further talks haven't been scheduled, and the district's 2,800 teachers are planning a strike authorization vote on April 17.

The two sides have been in talks since May of last year. Union negotiators say a district proposal to change scheduled pay raises would hurt new teachers and raise health costs for veteran teachers.

District officials say they're dedicated to a settlement, but say the teachers' demands are too expensive.

In 80 percent of the state's more than 300 districts, contracts have been settled, according to the statewide teachers union Education Minnesota.