San Francisco Public Schools Brace for First Teachers' Strike Since 1979
San Francisco's public school system is preparing for widespread closures as approximately 6,000 educators, represented by the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), are scheduled to begin a strike on Monday. This potential work stoppage, announced on Thursday morning, would mark the first teachers' strike in San Francisco since 1979 and would affect the district's 50,000 students.
In solidarity, school principals, administrators, clerks, and custodians have also authorized sympathy strikes. The strike is set to proceed if ongoing negotiations with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) do not result in a new agreement.
Background and Key Demands
Negotiations between UESF and SFUSD have been ongoing since March. Key demands from the UESF include higher wages, improved dependent health benefits, and increased staffing for special-education students.
The union has sought salary increases as high as 14%.
Conversely, a Public Employers Relations Board fact-finding panel, in a report issued Wednesday, recommended a total 6% raise over two years.
The UESF has cited a growing vacancy and turnover crisis within the SFUSD, stating it negatively impacts students. The union argues that the district possesses a $111 million reserve that could be utilized for salary increases. Conversely, the SFUSD, which operates under state financial oversight, maintains that it cannot afford the union's demands, stating that its reserve is necessary to demonstrate fiscal solvency.
Negotiation Timeline and Sticking Points
On Thursday evening, the SFUSD bargaining team offered two health benefit options, neither fully funded, along with a six percent raise over three years. The union refused this offer. The UESF had previously declined a district counteroffer and stated it would not meet on Friday morning until SFUSD presented a "serious offer."
Negotiations continued for nearly 11 hours on Saturday, with UESF President Cassondra Curiel noting some progress, including the inclusion of protections for undocumented students in the union contract. However, Ms. Curiel indicated that overall negotiations did not advance sufficiently.
The UESF submitted an offer to the district on Saturday afternoon and received a counteroffer that evening. Union officials are currently working on a response and have requested additional information from the district.
Ms. Curiel stated that bargaining might continue Sunday if the necessary information is provided, reiterating that a strike would occur on Monday without a signed tentative agreement. Superintendent Maria Su, who attended Saturday's negotiations, expressed frustration that an agreement was not reached and affirmed her readiness to return to the bargaining table on Sunday.
Widespread Sympathy Strikes and School Closures
The United Administrators of San Francisco (UASF), representing 253 principals, assistant principals, program administrators, and supervisors, authorized a sympathy strike by a significant margin. UASF President Anna Klafter stated that operating schools would not be safe if educators are on the picket line. Clerks and custodians, represented by SEIU 1021, have also authorized a sympathy strike.
Superintendent Maria Su announced that all school sites will close if a strike occurs on Monday. Plans for food distribution to families dependent on school meals will utilize third-party sites, as will after-school programs.
District's "Staff Centers" Directive Causes Controversy
On Friday evening, the SFUSD sent emails to its teachers informing them of "redeployment assignments" to "Staff Centers" for Monday. The district stated its intent was "to maintain District operations" and ensure accurate pay for employees who report to work. SEIU-represented district workers, as well as principals and administrators, also received redeployment assignments.
The district clarified that "Staff were given work assignments to ensure that anyone who reports to work during a strike has a designated location and can support with district operations." Eight sites were designated as "Staff Centers," with employees assigned based on proximity to their homes. Employees were advised to bring laptops and chargers, with check-in scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at assigned centers. The nature of the work to be performed at these centers remains unconfirmed.
Teachers, communicating via text and WhatsApp, suggested the redeployment was an attempt to mobilize non-striking union members and undermine the work stoppage. Ms. Klafter of the UASF expressed confusion, noting that large picket lines could deter employees from reporting.
UESF President Cassondra Curiel criticized the district, stating, "Instead of spending time redeploying district staff to hubs on Monday, we’d love to see the district put all their efforts into making a proposal that meets our students’ and communities’ needs."
Multiple employees from various unions expressed confusion and offense regarding the redeployment plan, with many indicating they did not intend to cross picket lines.
Appeals for Resolution Rejected
On Sunday, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi appealed for an agreement between the UESF and SFUSD, or a 72-hour delay of the impending strike. Mayor Lurie issued a statement proposing a three-day extension for negotiations, urging continued discussions to achieve an agreement that supports educators and ensures the district's fiscal stability. State Senator Scott Wiener publicly supported Lurie's call for a delay. The UESF did not accept these requests.