WHEN BARGAINING STARTED last year, 4,000 Fresno teachers committed to each other to do whatever it took for the schools #EveryFresnoStudent deserves. In October, their unbreakable unity powered a historic contract victory that averted a strike and sets the foundation for transforming Fresno public schools.

On Halloween, it was all treats and no tricks for Fresno Teachers Association (FTA) with the announcement that a tentative agreement had been reached less than 24 hours before Fresno teachers were set to walk picket lines for the first time in 45 years.

“At the core of this negotiation were four major priorities: reducing class sizes for students, reducing special education caseloads, keeping our teachers competitively paid, and ensuring continued and stable health coverage,” FTA President Manuel Bonilla said at an Oct. 31 press conference at Fresno High School. “Today, we’ve reached a historic agreement that not only accomplishes those goals, it exceeds them.”

Among FTA’s victories: a commitment that a portion of future bond money will go to increasing classroom space and elementary music space, additional funding for student supports and a plan to have a school nurse at every school in three years.

FTA also won pay increases that takes veteran and new teachers in Fresno from the bottom in wages to near the top Central Valley-wide. And in a win that was seen by many as unattainable, FTA won lifetime medical benefits for teachers with 20 or more years of service to Fresno Unified. These gains will help to stem churn in Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) that saw one in five teachers leave after last school year, meaning Fresno kids will have more seasoned educators who know them and understand the community.

“Our teachers can return to the classroom tomorrow, rather than standing on a picket line, knowing that we are charting a different path forward together,” Bonilla said. “Because they’ve made it clear that students thrive when educators thrive — and educators thrive when leaders value their hard work, tireless dedication and are committed to providing adequate support.”

FTA members ratified the agreement the following day, with 92% voting to approve in the highest turnout for a ratification vote in FTA’s history. The Fresno Unified School Board approved the contract the same day.

While Fresno Unified administrators spent the summer devising ways to break a potential strike, including offering $500 a day to substitutes to cross a picket line, FTA organized members, building strength through unity in their mission for Fresno students. In mid-October, more than 3,400 blue-shirted, sign-toting FTA members packed a massive amphitheater in the Fresno Fairgrounds after school in 90-degree heat for a rally opening their strike vote. Bonilla says it was the largest assembly in FTA history. This powerful display of unity sent a message to FUSD administrators and the community that Fresno teachers would not back down in the fight for #EveryFresnoStudent.

“I think admin was operating with a fair amount of hubris that we weren’t ready to strike, and that just shows the disconnect,” says Bonilla, a social science teacher at McLane High School. “The strike vote rally was the tipping point because it made it less scary and more safe for folks to see they were standing together with other teachers across the district.”

When the dust settled, 93.5% of members had voted to authorize a strike and FTA’s executive board set a strike date of Nov. 1. On the Friday before the strike was to commence, Fresno teachers held a “Day of Action” with informational pickets outside every FUSD school — an awesome display of what was to come if an agreement could not be reached in time.

Bonilla says the strike vote rally and day of action was a 1-2 punch that turned the tide for FTA, making FUSD admin return to the bargaining table and offer much more for students and teachers than in their proposal made just prior to the strike vote event.

“The movement since the (strike vote) rally is amazing,” says Trish Renfro, high school teacher and FTA secretary. “This is the professionalization of Fresno teachers. (FTA), you did that! We did that!”

Labor family from CTA and other unions supported FTA’s fight — CTA local associations adopted resolutions supporting FTA while the Fresno Area Substitute Teachers Association, SEIU 521 and Teamsters Joint Council 7 all showed public support for the strike, underscoring that the Labor Movement is alive and thriving in the Central Valley.

“It’s absolutely amazing to see the solidarity with folks and the reason for it — not just with our members but with union members across the valley,” Bonilla says. “We gave them a reason and they just stepped up.”

Bonilla says this year’s victory was accomplished through a shared righteous confidence by all of FTA’s 4,000 members.

“We were relentless about what needed to change and how it needed to change,” Bonilla says. “Our struggle is not a series of challenges and accomplishments — it’s an ongoing building of the profession and development of educators standing up for their rights. We don’t stop.

What FTA Won

THE 4,000 MEMBERS of Fresno Teachers Association won a landmark contract with advancements in every area on the wings of powerful unity by Fresno teachers, school nurses and trades.

Smaller class sizes: Three-pronged approach to lowering class sizes for the near-, mid- and long-term. This includes a commitment to devote a portion of future bond monies to building additional classroom space, elementary music space and confidential space.

Pay increase: 16% on-schedule over three years plus off-schedule payments and longevity that will bring new and veteran teacher pay to near the top Central Valley-wide. Teachers with more than 25 years of service to FUSD will see a more than 27% increase.

Reinstatement of lifetime medical: For all employees after 20 years of service to FUSD — a huge win that sets the standard for educators statewide.

Special Ed caseload reductions: New language stipulating special education caseload guidelines.

Health fund protection: Removed language that put future cost increases on teacher backs.

A nurse at every school: Won a plan to have a school nurse at every Fresno school in three years.

Supporting the whole child: $30 million for student social-emotional supports, determined by Fresno educators.

Adult Ed/Trades Parity: Longevity for Adult Ed teachers and trades workers.

More teaching, less meetings: Up to one meeting per week and it must be during the normal workday.

How They Did It

FRESNO TEACHERS WON a historic contract through unbreakable solidarity, commitment to a shared vision and faith in FTA leadership. Here are some tips learned by FTA President Manuel Bonilla.

Start with a vision: Bonilla shared a photoshopped graphic during a 2021 retreat with the FTA executive board that showed thousands of blue-shirted educators rallying for better Fresno schools — which became reality this year (see graphic). “We got the board to see that it was possible and asked what needed to happen to make it a reality.”

Know your audience: “We never thought we were in the wrong. If something is right, that’s what we need to do. That resonated with our members, and then we were relentless about it.”

Lean into transparency and difficult conversations: “We were always informing people. We had lots of virtual meetings with 2,000-plus members. Invite people into the process.”

Be relentless with your message: “Overcommunicate and call things what they are, but be sure to take the high road. Keep things classroom-centered and student-focused.”

The struggle continues: “The top of one mountain is the base of another — we are literally having discussions about what we are going to do next.