URGENT UPDATE: San Francisco teachers are officially set to strike on Monday, October 30, 2023, after their demands for better pay and improved working conditions went unaddressed. Negotiations will resume at noon today, but a last-minute plea from city leaders for a 72-hour pause was denied.
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) failed to reach an agreement over the weekend, despite lengthy discussions. Key issues remain unresolved, including demands for fully-funded family healthcare, salary increases, and enhancements to special education services. Union president Cassondra Curiel emphasized, “Our demands are for fully-funded family healthcare and salary increases that do not come at the cost of concessions.”
The union’s request for a budget of approximately $35 million highlights the disparity in funding priorities, as this amount is nearly half of what the city allocated for the San Francisco Police Department this year, even amidst a declining crime rate. Teachers currently earn an average starting salary of $79,000, significantly lower than the $119,000 starting salary for a new police officer, who also receives full health coverage while teachers contribute about 5% of their income for insurance.
Negotiations last Saturday extended for nearly 12 hours, with the union presenting an offer in the afternoon and receiving a counter-offer later that evening. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi have publicly called for a postponement of the strike to ensure schools can remain open during negotiations.
Compounding the situation, other unions including principals, custodians, and school employees are also joining the strike. UESF’s president stated, “A single administrator alone in a school building does not constitute a functioning or safe school environment.”
The district has attempted to minimize disruption by assigning staff to various locations, a move met with backlash as many staff members view it as an attempt to undermine the strike. “It is absolutely embarrassing,” remarked one principal, highlighting the frustration among educators.
In response to the strike, the SFUSD will provide free breakfast and lunch for students, alongside childcare services and independent study materials. Local churches are collaborating with Superintendent Maria Su to offer academic and recreational support during this critical period.
As this situation develops, parents and students are urged to stay informed. A comprehensive list of resources for families during the strike is available via SFGate. The urgency of the matter underscores not only the immediate impact on education in San Francisco but also broader implications for teacher welfare and public service funding.
Stay tuned for updates as negotiations continue and the strike unfolds.
