UPDATE: San Francisco teachers are set to strike Monday, October 9, 2023, following failed negotiations over key demands for salary increases and improved healthcare. The San Francisco Unified School District and the United Educators of San Francisco could not reach an agreement during nearly 12 hours of discussions over the weekend, prompting an urgent need for action as the strike looms.
Officials from both sides attempted to negotiate a 72-hour delay to allow for further discussions, but their plea was unsuccessful. Cassondra Curiel, president of the educators’ union, emphasized the importance of their demands, stating,
“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 demands, amounting to a budget of approximately $35 million, have not been met, despite the city’s significant budget allocations for other sectors. For context, the local police department is budgeted for nearly double that amount, even as crime rates decline.
Currently, teachers earn an average starting salary of $79,000, significantly less than the $119,000 starting salary for a police officer, who also receives full healthcare coverage while teachers pay about five percent of their income for insurance. This disparity has fueled frustrations among educators, who feel undervalued and under-resourced.
Negotiations resumed shortly after 12 PM today, with no resolution in sight. Earlier, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi urged the union to postpone the strike to keep schools operational, but their requests went unanswered.
The impact of the strike will be widespread. All school staff, including principals and custodians, are expected to join. As stated by Anna Klafter, president of the United Administrators of San Francisco, “A single administrator alone in a school building does not constitute a functioning or safe school environment.” This raises serious concerns for student safety during the strike.
In response to the strike, the school district has announced plans for free breakfast and lunch for students, along with childcare services and independent study packets. Local community organizations and churches are collaborating with Superintendent Maria Su to further support families during this critical time.
As the situation unfolds, families are urged to stay connected for updates and resources. The urgency of the strike highlights the broader issues of educational funding and teacher support in San Francisco.
Stay tuned for further developments as negotiations continue.
