Fremont Unified School District reaches deal with teachers, averting potential strike
Officials with the Fremont Unified School District announced that a tentative labor agreement has been reached with teachers, averting a potential strike.
In a statement posted on the district website on Wednesday, officials said the three-year deal provides salary increases and expanded benefits for 1,800 teachers who are represented by the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association (FUDTA).
"It reflects both parties' shared commitment to attracting and retaining high-quality educators and ensuring exceptional learning opportunities for students in Fremont," the district said.
Terms of the deal include a 2% salary increase for the 2024-25 school year along with full district-paid dental coverage. In the 2025-26 school year, teachers will receive a 1% salary increase and an annual $1,000 contribution toward district health premiums.
Teachers will also receive an additional 2% salary increase on Jan. 1, 2026, officials said.
The district said the agreement is based on the recommendations of a neutral fact-finding report from a panel consisting of a Public Employee Relations Board Employee along with representatives from the district and the teachers' union.
"We have always held firm that our educators deserve meaningful compensation and benefits," Superintendent Zack Larsen said. "Thank you to our Trustees, the District negotiations team, and our FUDTA partners for their collaboration throughout this complex process. District leadership understands the costs of living in the Bay Area and remains committed to investing in our teachers."
The previous contract between Fremont Unified and the teachers expired last June.
While a settlement was reached, the union said in a statement that they were disappointed that the district did not reach an agreement to have caps on class sizes.
"I am proud of our members. We stood strong, rallying and standing strong together for each other and for our community. We did have some wins, but at the end of the day, the class size issues our members are passionate about were not issues the district wanted to discuss," said Vicky Chon, president of FUDTA.
"Our members are disappointed that we were not able to win the class size caps we know our students need," said Cara Coleman, the union's organizing chair. "We are committed to the long game here. If our board and superintendent is showing us that they aren't even able to discuss the class caps we need, we have some work to do here in terms of leadership in the district."
District officials said the deal is pending ratification from the teachers and final approval from the Fremont Board of Education.
Also on Wednesday, teachers in Oakland announced an agreement was reached with the district to avoid a one-day strike scheduled for Thursday.
