Fresno Unified teachers, district approve tentative agreement, optimistic about future
Fresno teachers overwhelmingly voted in favor of accepting the tentative agreement on Wednesday evening, which was settled with the city’s school district earlier this week.
Later last night, Fresno Unified School District also voted unanimously in favor of ratifying the agreement and investing $30 million to support students, concluding 18 months of negotiations.
The school district and the Fresno Teachers Association announced they had come to an agreement in a joint press conference, stopping a district-wide strike from happening, on Tuesday.
The FTA said 92% of its total members voted in favor of ratification of the contract according to reports tabulated by the American Arbitration Association, a non-profit organization that offers arbitration, mediation and election services.
FTA president Manuel Bonilla said members could vote online from 1-6 p.m. and had access to the tentative agreement and a detailed summary of it.
Hours after the union finalized its voting process, Fresno Unified ratified the tentative agreement at 8:15 p.m..
The tentative agreement ratification and the creation of the FTA-Fresno Unified collaborative committee were added to the board’s previously established agenda as amendments in order for trustees to vote on them.
Minutes later, and with no discussion, both matters were approved unanimously.
At the start of the meeting, Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson said the agreed contract is “the biggest benefit” that district employees have seen in the last 30 years.
“There is no question that our community loves our teachers,” Nelson said.
Adding to support for teachers, the approved collaborative committee between union and district representatives is now set to decide how to spend $30 million for student services and support during the next three school years.
“This agreement comes as a result of communication, collaboration and hard work by many people,” said David Chavez, Fresno Unified’s chief of human resources and labor relations, during Wednesday’s board meeting.
“And a united commitment,” Chavez said, “to enhance the future of Fresno Unified’s students, staff and community.”
Nelson and Bonilla, on behalf of the district and union, expressed excitement about the approval of this agreement.
“We’re really excited to lay this foundation for opportunities moving forward,” Bonilla told The Bee during an interview Wednesday evening.
With both parties voting in favor of ratifying the tentative agreement, Fresno Unified spokesperson Nikki Henry confirmed the contract is in effect immediately.
