San Francisco schools shut as teachers strike over salaries, special needs support

Thousands of public school teachers in San Francisco went on strike Monday, marking the first such action in the city in nearly five decades, AP News reported. The strike followed months of unsuccessful negotiations between the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and the teachers’ union over salaries, healthcare benefits, and support for special needs students.

All 120 public schools in the district were closed, though limited independent study options were made available for some of the district’s 50,000 students. Union leaders said rising healthcare costs and low salaries are forcing teachers and staff to leave, threatening the quality of education in the city.

Why teachers went on strike

According to AP News, teachers represented by the United Educators of San Francisco union are demanding a fully funded family healthcare plan, a 9% salary increase over two years, and policies to better support homeless and immigrant students. Cassondra Curiel, the union president, said, “Family healthcare premiums of $1,500 per month are pushing excellent teachers and support staff out of our district. This week, we said enough is enough.”

The union said it has been negotiating with the district for nearly a year. Teachers also want vacant positions in special education and other support services to be filled, which they say will improve learning outcomes for students with additional needs.

District’s response and financial constraints

SFUSD, which is under state oversight due to a long-standing financial crisis, faces a $100 million deficit. Officials offered a 6% wage increase spread over three years, along with potential bonuses if the district posts a surplus by the 2027–28 school year, AP News reported. The district also proposed two options for healthcare: paying 75% of family coverage under Kaiser Permanente or offering an annual allowance of $24,000 for teachers to select a health plan of their choice.

A neutral fact-finding panel last week recommended a compromise of a 6% raise over two years, largely siding with the district’s argument that it is financially constrained. District officials said they are willing to continue negotiating but cannot approve demands that would deepen the financial deficit.

Union and city actions

Union leaders joined picket lines after weekend negotiations failed to produce a new contract. AP News noted that a news conference by union leaders was planned Monday morning, followed by a rally at San Francisco City Hall in the afternoon.

Mayor Daniel Lurie and Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco urged both sides to keep negotiating to avoid prolonged school closures. Lurie, who helped end a hotel workers strike before taking office, said city agencies were coordinating with the school district to ensure students and families receive support during the strike. “I know everyone participating in these negotiations is committed to schools where students thrive and our educators feel truly supported, and I will continue working to ensure that,” Lurie said in a social media post.

Impact on students and parents

The strike affects thousands of students across the city. Families have been advised to make alternative arrangements, though some remote and independent study options are being offered. AP News reported that parents expressed concern about disruption to learning, while also showing support for teachers’ demands for better pay and healthcare benefits.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume midday Monday, and both sides have expressed hope that a compromise can be reached quickly to minimize the impact on students.
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