California school district offering substitute teachers $500 per day to cross teachers' picket line

  • by:
  • Source: CBS News
  • 10/25/2023
Teachers in Fresno, California, have authorized a strike, and to fill the temporary vacancies, the school district is sending out a state-wide call for substitute teachers with a lucrative offer — $500 per day to cross the picket line. That's more than the average daily pay for a full-time teacher in Fresno Unified School District and more than double the normal daily rate for substitute teachers.

If someone accepts a job in the classroom while the teachers are on strike, it will be regarded as crossing the picket line, according to Fresno Teachers Association President Manuel Bonilla. Guest teachers are not a part of the association, and if they teach during the strike they won't be blacklisted, but Bonilla said it will undoubtedly damage personal relationships with teachers fighting for a fair contract.

"It's hard to see one group of people fighting and advocating for positive change and another person that is getting in the way of that progress," said Bonilla. 

The union has been negotiating with the school district for a new contract, but both sides have yet to come to an agreement about class size, special education caseloads, health care policies and salary. Similar to the striking United Auto Workers, the Fresno Teachers Association said members want the salary increases in line with inflation and the cost of living index. Chief Communications Officer for Fresno Unified School District Nikki Henry referred to that request as a "straw man argument."

Please help put parents in charge of their child’s education by forwarding this article to other parents, family, friends and voters.
Girl holding American Dollar Bills by Alexander Mils is licensed under Unsplash unsplash.com

Other Articles

What Are Schoolteachers Thinking? Report Gives Insights
Something Has to Change – Public school teachers cite student behavior and discipline issues (74%) as the top challenge they believe teachers currently face, followed by pay (65%.).
Read More
Gov. Newsom signs bill to ban school district ‘forced outings’ of transgender students
The bill has been the subject of heated debate, with two lawmakers nearly having a physical confrontation over it during floor debate.
Read More
Education leaders foster statewide ethnic studies programs
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a webinar featuring a variety of inspirational speakers who discussed the importance and journey of ethnic studies in California.
Read More
California schools could face cuts as state budget deficit soars to $68B
As California faces a ballooning deficit — now up to a staggering $68 billion — the state must act to balance its budget, including potentially reducing funding for schools and community colleges, the Legislative Analyst’s Office said in a report Thursday.
Read More
Commentary: California should mandate climate change education now
We see signs of climate change’s devastating impact all over Orange County — in rising sea levels in our coastal cities, such as in Seal Beach and Newport Beach; wildfires in Laguna Niguel and Silverado Canyon; coastal erosion in San Clemente, where train service has been repeatedly suspended; and the collapsing hillside under Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens.
Read More
Most teachers are too busy to be culture warriors
A few days ago, I attended my last back-to-school night at our local public middle school. That real-world experience offered a dramatic contrast to the perpetual online brawling today between irate parents, irate teachers and irate politicians over education.
Read More
How Technology is Changing the World of Education
Education is one of the most important and impactful sectors in our society. It shapes the minds and skills of future generations, and it influences the development and progress of humanity.
Read More
Fresno Unified offers ‘historic’ benefits to teachers union. Why there’s still no deal
Fresno Unified and the district's teacher's union still don't have a deal and remain at odds over how much progress has been made in the days leading up to the union's strike vote this week.
Read More

Get latest news delivered daily!

We will send you breaking news right to your inbox

© 2025 educationopportunity.org, Privacy Policy | FPPC #1460602