UPDATE: Teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District will officially strike starting Monday, October 16, 2023, as negotiations have failed to meet their demands. The strike comes after city officials requested a 72-hour pause in the proceedings but were denied, with negotiations resuming at noon on Monday.
Why This Matters: The strike will disrupt classes for thousands of students, as the United Educators of San Francisco union pushes for pay increases, full health care, and enhanced special education services. The city’s leaders, including Mayor Daniel Lurie and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, have advocated for a resolution, but the union’s demands remain unmet, leading to a tense standoff.
Details surrounding the negotiations reveal that a tentative concession was made to protect undocumented students; however, it was not enough to avert the strike. Union president Cassondra Curiel emphasized, “We have made it very clear that our demands are for fully-funded family healthcare, improvements to special education, and salary increases that do not come at the cost of concessions or takeaways.”
The union’s financial demands amount to approximately $35 million, significantly less than the funding allocated for the San Francisco Police Department this year, despite a declining crime rate. Currently, teachers earn an average starting salary of $79,000, while new police officers earn around $119,000, along with comprehensive health-care coverage. Teachers, in contrast, contribute about five percent of their income to health insurance.
Negotiations on Saturday lasted nearly 12 hours, with the union presenting an offer at 2 PM and a counter-offer received around 8 PM. Mayor Lurie’s public appeal for a postponement of the strike highlighted the urgency of the situation, but the district’s response only fueled frustration among educators.
In a show of solidarity, principals, administrators, custodians, and other school staff plan to join the strike, as outlined in a statement from United Administrators of San Francisco president Anna Klafter: “A single administrator alone in a school building does not constitute a functioning or safe school environment. Under these conditions, keeping schools open puts students at risk.”
Compounding the tension, a controversial email from the district assigned staff to various locations, which many perceived as an attempt to undermine the union. “It is absolutely embarrassing,” stated one principal, expressing dismay over the district’s actions.
As the strike commences, families can access resources provided by the school district, including free breakfast and lunch, childcare, and independent study packets. The San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families will also ensure meals for students during this period, with local churches collaborating with Superintendent Maria Su to offer academic and recreational support.
The situation remains fluid, and all eyes are on Monday’s negotiations as both sides seek a resolution. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
