Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson and other district leaders have scheduled a news conference for Friday morning to provide an update about contract negotiations with the Fresno Teachers Association.

The news conference will be at 11:30 a.m. in the downtown Education Center. Nelson will be joined by School Board members and “additional leaders,” the district said in a news release Thursday afternoon.

Fresno Teachers Association leaders declined to comment to GV Wire.

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The union has been preparing teachers for a strike authorization vote next Wednesday unless the two sides reach an agreement.

On Wednesday, the union posted on its Facebook page photos of teachers at school sites wearing the bright blue T-shirts signifying their union solidarity. The Facebook message urged teachers to get “strike-ready” and also said, “Let’s show this district that we are not going to accept second-best for our students or for ourselves.”

State Mediator Supported FUSD Pay Proposal

A report by a state mediator that the union presented to teachers on Tuesday showed that the district is offering 14% plus one-time pay raises that would bring the pay increases to a total of 20% over the three-year contract. However, the pay raises would be in exchange for the district reducing its contribution to the self-funded healthcare program, which the union has rejected.

Teachers have been working without a contract since June 30. If they do walk out, it will be the first teachers strike in Fresno since 1978.

Should a strike occur, the district is offering $500 per day to substitute teachers and says it will keep the schools open.