Historic Teachers' Strike Hits San Francisco Public Schools

Tue Feb 10 2026 00:29:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a monumental move, thousands of San Francisco public school teachers launched a strike on Monday, marking the first such action in nearly 50 years. The dispute centers around demands for better wages and benefits amid a persistent financial crisis in the education sector.

On Monday, San Francisco experienced its first teachers' strike in nearly half a century, with educators calling for increased wages and improved benefits. The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) closed its 120 schools, impacting 50,000 students. Union leaders reported failed negotiations, leading to the escalation of demands amidst an affordability crisis that drives educators out of the district. The strike aims to address long-standing issues of support for special needs and underfunded services.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In a significant development, thousands of public school teachers in San Francisco initiated a strike on Monday, marking the first teachers' strike in nearly 50 years. The walkout was prompted by an impasse in negotiations concerning higher wages, better health benefits, and increased support for special needs students.

Closed off completely were all 120 schools under the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), affecting around 50,000 students who will be offered independent study alternatives. Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, highlighted the 'affordability crisis' educators are facing, stating, 'Family healthcare premiums of $1,500 per month are pushing excellent teachers and support staff out of our district.'

After intense negotiations over the weekend failed to yield an agreement, teachers joined the picket line. Local leaders like Mayor Daniel Lurie and Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi asked both parties to keep communication open instead of resulting in a school shutdown.

The district's financial struggles are at the heart of the issue. Over the last year, the union has persistently demanded fully funded family healthcare, salary increases, and the hiring of staff for special education, all desperately needed as the district grapples with a $100 million deficit and state oversight due to financial mismanagement.

The union is pushing for a 9% salary increase over two years, equating to an additional $92 million annually. SFUSD counters with a 6% raise spread over three years and has also offered bonuses if they manage to resolve their financial issues by the end of the 2027-28 academic year.

The dispute raises broader questions regarding the adequacy of funding for education and support for vulnerabilities among students, particularly those from homeless or immigrant families. As both sides prepare for continued negotiations, the future of San Francisco's educational landscape remains uncertain.