UPDATE: Teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District will officially strike on Monday, October 30, 2023, following failed negotiations over the weekend. These developments come after city leaders’ urgent plea for a 72-hour pause in striking efforts was rejected, with new negotiations scheduled for Noon on Monday.
The United Educators of San Francisco and district officials could not reach an agreement, despite discussions lasting nearly 12 hours on Saturday. Union president Cassondra Curiel stated, “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 teachers’ demands are estimated to require a budget of around $35 million, a significant sum considering it represents nearly half of the funding allocated for the San Francisco Police Department this year, even amidst a declining crime rate. Currently, teachers earn an average starting salary of $79,000 annually, significantly less than the $119,000 starting salary for new police officers. Furthermore, while police officers receive full health-care coverage, teachers contribute approximately 5% of their income towards health insurance.
Negotiations took a turn when San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi urged the union to postpone the strike in order to keep schools operational. However, despite these efforts, no agreement was reached.
As the strike looms, other school personnel, including principals, administrators, and custodians, are expected to join the teachers in their action. Anna Klafter, president of the United Administrators of San Francisco, emphasized that “a single administrator alone in a school building does not constitute a functioning or safe school environment,” highlighting the potential risks to students’ safety if schools remain open.
Confusion reigned over the weekend when district staff received an email assigning them to various locations on Monday. Many interpreted this as an attempt to undermine the strike. “It is absolutely embarrassing,” lamented one principal, who expressed their discontent with the district’s actions.
During the strike, the San Francisco school district is prepared to provide free meals for students and childcare for younger children, as local churches collaborate with Superintendent Maria Su to offer academic and recreational support. A comprehensive list of resources for families is available through SFGate.
This developing story continues to unfold, with critical negotiations expected to resume shortly. Stay tuned for updates as the situation progresses and for details on how the strike will impact students and families across San Francisco.
