Tentative agreement may keep teachers from striking

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new deal could be keeping Fresno teachers from a strike. Fresno Unified teachers are looking at just over a five percent pay raise, if this new deal is approved by them and the school board.

Benefits for educators working inside Fresno classrooms are one step closer to reality. The Fresno Teachers Association board now has a new tentative agreement to present teachers in the coming days.

"In this tentative agreement, it gives the teachers a little more teacher voice in what's taking place in our schools," said FTA President Eva Ruiz.

Ruiz says the negotiations with Fresno Unified have been tense and were too drawn out. If teachers approve of the new deal, they will get a 2.7 percent pay raise for the school year that is, right now, days from ending. In addition they stand to get a three and half percent raise next year.

"It is agreed upon that we could reopen for salary in the third year," Ruiz said.

Just last week, dozens of teachers protested outside the school board meeting demanding the district reopen the stalled negotiations. Ruiz says by working through the night sometimes the district agreed to give teachers better health care coverage.

"It actually is more contributions that the district will be providing for each active membership, and that will help us do some plan design changes in the future," she said.

The FTA did not disclose many other details about the tentative agreement saying it still wants teachers to get a good look at the specifics. But Ruiz is confident the three year contract will pass.

Teachers will meet and vote on this new agreement on June 13. If approved, the school board must also pass the agreement before everything can go into effect.

The school district declined to comment on this deal saying it wants the FTA to tell the teachers about it.