Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1512793
"This is the professionalization of Fresno teachers. (FTA), you did that! We did that!" —FTA secretary Trish Renfro to substitutes to cross a picket line, FTA organized members, building strength through unity in their mission for Fresno stu- dents. 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. is 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 autho- rize 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 out- side 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. "e movement since the (strike vote) rally is amazing," says Trish Renfro, high school teacher and FTA secretary. "is 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 sup- port for the strike, underscoring that the Labor Movement is alive and thriving in the Central Valley. FTA drew major support from CTA and other unions, as well as parents and community. Continued from Page 17 18 cta.org Feature