URGENT UPDATE: San Francisco teachers are officially set to strike on Monday, October 23, 2023, following a breakdown in negotiations with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). City leaders had urged a 72-hour pause for further talks, but their pleas were unsuccessful, and negotiations are now scheduled to resume at noon on Monday.
The United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) and SFUSD failed to reach an agreement over the weekend, leaving critical demands unmet, including pay increases, full health care, and enhanced special education services. A tentative concession protecting undocumented students was insufficient to avert the strike, as reported by multiple sources.
“We have made it very clear that our demands include fully-funded family healthcare, improvements to special education, and salary increases that do not come at the cost of concessions,” stated Cassondra Curiel, president of UESF. The union’s demands are projected to cost around $35 million, roughly half of what the city allocated to the San Francisco Police Department this year, despite the city’s significant drop in crime rates.
Currently, teachers in San Francisco earn an average starting salary of $79,000 annually, starkly lower than the $119,000 starting salary for a new police officer. While police officers receive full health-care coverage, teachers must contribute about five percent of their income toward health insurance.
Negotiations saw nearly 12 hours of discussions on Saturday, but progress was minimal. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi both urged the union to postpone the strike, emphasizing the need to keep schools operational.
In a concerning development, school principals and administrators, along with custodians and other school employees, are also set to join the strike. “A single administrator alone in a school building does not constitute a functioning or safe school environment,” said Anna Klafter, president of the United Administrators of San Francisco.
Amid the uncertainty, the SFUSD sent out confusing emails over the weekend, assigning staff to various locations, which many interpreted as an attempt to undermine the strike. Staff members expressed outrage, with one principal stating, “It is absolutely embarrassing. I am embarrassed on their behalf.”
As the strike looms, families are encouraged to prepare. The school district has announced plans to provide free breakfast and lunch for students, childcare for younger children, and independent study packets. Local organizations, including churches, are collaborating with Superintendent Maria Su to offer academic support during this tumultuous period.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds, and be aware of the potential impact this strike could have on the education system in San Francisco.
