As San Francisco braces for a potential teacher strike, Superintendent Maria Su has been granted emergency powers by the Board of Education. This decision was made during a special meeting on March 12, 2024, where the board approved a resolution allowing Su to take necessary operational actions should teachers decide to walk out as early as March 15, 2024.
The emergency resolution permits Su to hire additional security staff and arrange transportation, food, and emergency services in the event of school closures. Volunteers may also assist in maintaining school operations. The board’s approval came through a narrow 4-3 vote, which included a last-minute amendment preventing Su from hiring substitute teachers on a pay-per-day basis. Instead, any substitutes brought in must already hold current contracts.
Should teachers strike, any staff members, including security and substitutes, will face the difficult decision of crossing a picket line. The principal’s union, representing nearly 297 administrators, is also preparing to vote on whether to engage in a sympathy strike. The implications of simultaneous strikes from both unions could severely limit the district’s capacity to keep schools operational.
Su emphasized her commitment to ensuring the welfare and safety of students and staff. She noted that negotiations with the teacher’s union have reached an impasse, and a fact-finding report from a neutral third party is expected to provide recommendations. However, this report is non-binding and could allow teachers to initiate a strike within 48 hours.
In recent statements, Su indicated that discussions between the district and the union have been constructive, asserting that they are “really close” to reaching an agreement. Last week, the district proposed a “stability package,” which included a 6 percent raise in teacher salaries over three years and fully paid family health benefits. The teacher’s union, however, countered this narrative with a video asserting that no such offer had been formally presented.
If schools close due to a strike, the district anticipates a financial loss of between $7 million and $10 million per day, as funding is directly tied to student attendance. Superintendent Su has been in regular communication with Mayor Daniel Lurie regarding the potential strike, marking a pivotal moment for the city. If a strike occurs, it would be the first teachers’ strike in San Francisco since 1979, when educators engaged in a six-week walkout.
“I will do everything I can to make sure we come back to the table,” Su stated during a press conference prior to the board meeting. “I have no desire to enact this resolution, but in order to be prepared, we need to do this.” The unfolding situation underscores the tension between the district’s administration and the teachers’ union, both of which are seeking a resolution to avoid disruption in the education system.
