SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco public school teachers will walk off the job Monday for the first time in 50 years unless a deal is reached before then.
The teacher’s union and the San Francisco Unified School District did not have any bargaining sessions scheduled Sunday and remain at odds over wages.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie took to social media Sunday evening to respond to the teachers’ union’s decision to walk off the job Monday.
“I’m disappointed that parties could not come to an agreement, and frankly, I’m frustrated,” Lurie said.
Earlier in the day, Lurie is made a plea to delay a strike for three days for talks to continue.
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“Let me be clear: I do not want a prolonged strike. I don’t want a strike at all,” said San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su. “We need to finish the conversation so our students can stay in the classroom.”
Negotiations stalled Sunday after a nearly eight-hour-long session Saturday led to an agreement on sanctuary district policies, but no deal on wages.
“As we have said before, time and time again, we will be going on strike Monday, absent a signed tentative agreement with this district,” said Cassondra Curiel, president of United Educators of SF.
Curiel made it clear that the strike was hours away.
“We need to see their serious movement,” Curiel said.
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The union wants 4.5% raises each year for two years. The district, citing a dire financial situation, is offering 2%. A fact-finding report recommends 3%.
“We really need to make sure any raise we offer, along with health benefits. We want to make sure we can afford them and keep the district on a path to fiscal stability,” said SFUSD Spokesperson Laura Dudnick.
The union said it doesn’t want any wage increases if it means concessions and takebacks from the district.
“We will not sell out our students or members to get a wage increase,” Curiel said.
Some parents say they are fully prepared for locked doors at their kids’ school Monday, many feeling anxious about future. However, many are now left in limbo.
RELATED: SFUSD facing dire fiscal situation amid looming teachers’ strike
“I’m not going to lie. It reminds me of COVID times. We’re used to being adaptive, but I’m disappointed,” said parent Anna Billstrom.
Billstrom believes her son Reid should be in school.
“At first I was like, ‘Way no school,’ but I won’t see my friends, and I won’t learn as much as I thought I would,” said 6th grader Reid Robinstrom.
Many parents are pivoting and making plans for their kids on Monday — and beyond — if a strike happens.
“Honestly, tomorrow I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I’m just going to take a day off tomorrow and then try to figure it out tomorrow after tomorrow,” said Luma Konjuhi, whose daughter is an SFUSD student.
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Meanwhile, the mayor says the city is ready to provide support.
“That includes meal distribution for students who rely on school for food access, extra hours at community childcare centers and Rec and Park programs, and community safety resources to keep kids safe if they’re not in school,” Lurie said.
Efforts are also extending throughout the community. At Third Baptist Church in the Fillmore District, doors will be open to families.
“We have the moral obligation in our time to provide safe havens so young people will not be out on the streets idle and in harm’s way,” said Rev. Amos Brown, pastor emeritus of Third Baptist Church.
The church is trying to fill any potential void.
“To make sure there are no gaps and that our children are in a place where they can be supported,” said Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford, pastor of Third Baptist Church.
The school district plans to meet again with the union on Monday at noon, saying of negotiations, “We are close . . . and we believe we can get there.”
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