Showing unity and standing up for their students, Banning Teachers Association held strong on their first day of striking against Banning Unified School District. Picketing members at every Banning school site sent a powerful message to Banning Unified School District (BUSD) officials; it’s time to stop mistreating professional educators and begin negotiations and collaboration to resolve the Unfair Labor Practice charge between BTA and BUSD.

Members at each site communicated their displeasure with the leadership of Superintendent Guillen and called for an end to contract violations.Teachers gave interviews to several media stations, including Telemundo, ABC, and CBS news, along with the Palm Springs Desert Sun,  San Bernardino Sun, and Press Enterprise newspaper.Support from the local Labor Council included water and Gatorade for Banning members who were picketing in temperatures as high as 100 degrees, was warmly accepted.

BTA member Pam Valencia was on the picket line today at Cabazon Elementary School and was pleased to see her eight colleagues supporting the union. “It was high energy and parents were very supportive of our strike.” At her site, many parents listened to educator voices and decided to take their children home rather than subject them to uncertain conditions without fully credentialed teachers.

A requested meeting by district officials at 8:00 AM Thursday will include both bargaining teams. Chief negotiator Randy Robinson and his team will attempt to resolve the issue of the Unfair Labor Practice.