The San Francisco teachers’ strike, the first in nearly 50 years, has officially ended after a tense period of negotiations. Early Friday, the teachers’ union and the school district reached a tentative two-year agreement. Students will be back in classrooms on Wednesday since Friday was already a closed day, followed by district holidays on Monday and Tuesday.
One of the major victories for teachers was securing fully funded dependent healthcare. This change lightens the financial burden for many families, who previously faced costs eating up to 20% of their take-home pay. A member of the bargaining team, who spends around $1,500 monthly on his children’s healthcare, called this win “life changing.”
However, teachers won’t receive the 9% pay raise they initially wanted. Instead, they will get a 5% increase over two years. Certificated staff, including paraeducators, will see 8.5%, while a request for a 14% increase was also trimmed. Special education teachers will experience some reductions in their caseloads, but not as much as the union sought.
Amid challenges, the district had proposed cuts to existing benefits, but the final agreement preserved many key issues. Importantly, the union agreed to pause teacher sabbaticals for one year, indicating that while progress was made, more work lies ahead.
Superintendent Maria Su acknowledged the hard work from both sides and noted that more challenges are on the horizon, including potential layoffs and budget cuts. She emphasized the need for ongoing support to maintain a stable education environment.
This strike lasted just a few days, a stark contrast to the more than six-week strike in 1979. Back then, court orders forced teachers to return to work, while Mayor Dianne Feinstein pushed for a resolution. In this recent strike, Mayor Daniel Lurie stepped in days before the walkout, which had been brewing for months.
Both city officials and community members rallied with educators, showing strong support through daily demonstrations. This collective strength pointed to the community’s commitment to advocating for better working conditions for teachers and, ultimately, improved outcomes for students.
Recent surveys reveal that educators nationally are increasingly concerned about pay equity and classroom resources. Many teachers report feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated, which only heightens the importance of such negotiations. The positive outcome for San Francisco teachers may serve as a model for others facing similar struggles across the country.
The agreement may not have satisfied every demand, but it lays a foundation for future discussions and improvements. As educators and students return to the classroom, the real work of providing quality education continues.
For further details on the impact of teachers’ strikes across the nation, check out this report from the National Education Association here.
