Fresno Unified Filing Injunction Against FASTA Leadership

Fresno Unified is currently filing an injunction and unfair practice charge against SEIU 521 - Fresno Area Substitute Teachers Association (FASTA) for bad faith bargaining and violating the contract they bargained and signed with Fresno Unified School District.

FASTA negotiated with Fresno Unified earlier this year to support our students and schools in the event of an impended teacher strike by FTA. Those negotiations included agreeing upon the $500 per day pay for substitutes during an active teacher strike. FASTA has been a joint partner in all substitute recruitment, joining Fresno Unified at all substitute hiring events, including just last night. Importantly, their contract includes a strong clause prohibiting a sympathy strike.

On Tuesday, FASTA completely changed its course and violated its agreement by telling its members to not cross the FTA picket line. This message was sent out to the more than 2,000 substitute members after an in-person vote by less than 2% of their membership.

Fresno Unified is deeply disappointed by this weak showing of FASTA's leadership bending to the larger will of SEIU non-local leadership. Fresno Unified is extremely confident that this so-called vote by less than 2% of FASTA's membership DOES NOT represent the intentions and integrity of the more than 2,000 substitutes ready to serve our Fresno Unified schools in the event of a teacher strike next week.

Fresno Unified reassures its community of its confidence in our substitute teachers, despite the underhandedness of their union leadership. Fresno Unified is confident in keeping our schools open, safe, and full of learning and is grateful to the thousands of substitute teachers willing to honor their commitment to supporting our students in this difficult time.