The San Francisco teachers union is planning to strike Monday — leaving more than 50,000 kids facing the possibility they’ll be shut out of schools due to the walkout, reports said.
Some 97.6% of the United Educators of San Francisco voted in favor of the work stoppage after union members scoffed at the school’s latest contract offer, likely sending union members to the picket line for the first time in 47 years, ABC 7 News reported.
The last strike in 1979 left kids without most of their teachers for seven weeks.
West Contra Costa Unified teachers strike outside of El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) APThe San Francisco Unified School District’s latest contract offer included raises of 2%-a-year over the next three years even but the teachers are seeking a 9% pay hike over two years — a move a state-appointed mediator found was high because of a projected $100 million budget deficit.
A schools spokesperson told ABC the latest offer was fair.
“What we have offered a 6% pay increase over the next three years, so 2% each year for all our labor partners and UESF as well as fully funded family healthcare which was a priority we heard from the union, so we want to be able to work with them,” spokesperson Laura Dudnick said.
West Contra Costa Unified teachers and supporters march along a picket line as they strike outside of El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) AP“Any offer that we make we need to be able to afford for the next three years. We have set aside some money in our reserve for one-time emergency uses that are approved by the board of education for those purposes, so we cannot use our reserves to fund ongoing expenses like salaries.”
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The mediator issued a report saying it was limited on being able to make a recommendation because of the union setting a requirement “on securing full dependent benefits.”
“There was little discussion on the other non-wage related issues because UESF made it clear that if the District did not accept its demand for full dependent health benefits, the Association was not interested in discussing the other issues including wages,” the report said.
Cassondra Curiel, UESF President, is seen in an undated Facebook photo.
Facebook/United Educators of San Francisco Facebook/United Educators of San FranciscoThe report largely backed the district, refusing the union’s demands on wages and new healthcare benefits. The mediators did recommended a slightly higher 3% increase for the next two years against the district’s 2% per year.
San Francisco teachers are among the highest paid in the nation. San Francisco Unified School district says credentialed teachers start at a near $80,000 salary while non-credentialed start at about $70,000. The national average educator salary is $72,030.
Teachers also receive full individual health benefits among several other perks.
“The report does not go far enough–and the recommendations here alone will not solve the stability crisis in our district,” union President Cassondra Curiel said in a statement. “But, we are happy to see validation of what we already know- that SFUSD can and must stabilize staffing and special education programs for our students.”
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said he’s speaking to both sides with hopes to keep the schools open for city kids.
“I know many of you are worried about the possibility of a teacher strike that could temporarily close schools—and I want you to hear this clearly from me: our kids come first,” he said.
“As mayor, even though I don’t oversee our school district, I’m deeply committed to making sure our kids get a world-class education—with safe public schools where kids can learn and educators are well supported,” Lurie continued. “It is crucial that our schools remain open. Every day in the classroom matters.”






