San Francisco teachers have planned to go on strike on Monday, with district officials saying that city schools will be closed on the day. No further negotiations are planned until Monday noon.
The strike comes after teachers and the district failed to reach an agreement over higher wages, health benefits, and more resources for special needs students. The San Francisco Unified School District closed all its 120 schools and said it would offer independent study to some of the district’s 50,000 students.
“We are facing an affordability crisis,” Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, said in a statement Sunday night. “Family healthcare premiums of $1,500 per month are pushing excellent teachers and support staff out of our district. This week, we said enough is enough.”
Mayor Daniel Lurie and Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco had urged the two sides to keep talking rather than shut down schools, while union leaders planned to hold a news conference Monday morning about the strike. An afternoon rally was planned at San Francisco City Hall. Negotiations were scheduled to resume midday Monday.
The union and the district have been engaging in negotiations for a year. Teachers have been demanding fully funded family health care, salary raises and the filling of vacant positions impacting special education and services. They have also urged the district to enact policies that support homeless and immigrant students and families.
The union is asking for a 9% raise over two years, which would mean an additional $92 million per year for the district. They say that money could come from reserve funds that could be directed back to classrooms and school sites.
SFUD, which faces a $100 million deficit and is under state oversight because of a long-standing financial crisis, rejected the idea. Officials countered with a 6% wage increase over three years. SFUD Superintendent Maria Su also said on Friday that the offer also includes bonuses for all employees if there is a surplus by the 2027-28 school year.
Lurie said that city organizations will be handing out free meals on a first-come, first serve basis to district students and that other resources will be available.
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“If your family is impacted by school closures, please check in with your childcare or afterschool programs to see if they have extended hours,” Lurie said in the statement. “Local public libraries are also open as normal — but remember, children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.”
“San Franciscans deserve schools where students thrive and our educators feel truly supported,” Lurie added.