San Francisco, California — Thousands of public schoolteachers in San Francisco walked off the job Monday, marking the city’s first teachers strike in nearly five decades after contract negotiations with the school district broke down.
The strike follows nearly a year of talks between the United Educators of San Francisco union and the San Francisco Unified School District over wages, health care benefits, and staffing shortages, particularly in special education. As a result of the walkout, SFUSD closed all 120 public schools serving roughly 50,000 students, offering limited independent study options during the shutdown.
Union leaders say rising living costs and health care expenses have pushed educators out of the district. Union President Cassondra Curiel said family health insurance premiums can reach $1,500 per month, creating what she described as an affordability crisis for teachers and support staff. The union is seeking a 9% salary increase over two years, fully funded family health care, and the filling of vacant positions that affect student services.
District officials counter that SFUSD faces a projected $100 million budget deficit and remains under state oversight for longstanding financial problems. The district has offered a 6% raise spread over three years, along with potential bonuses if budget surpluses emerge by the 2027–28 school year. A neutral fact-finding panel recently recommended a compromise of a 6% increase over two years.
Negotiations were scheduled to resume Monday as city officials worked with the district to support affected families.
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