San Francisco Teachers Union Approves Strike by 97.6% Vote

Union representing over 6,000 public school employees seeks better pay and benefits

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:15pm by Ben Kaplan

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The United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), which represents over 6,000 public school teachers, substitutes, paraeducators, counselors, social workers and nurses, voted 97.6% to authorize a strike. The union has been negotiating with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for almost a year, seeking higher pay and fully funded family health care benefits.

Why it matters

This would be the first teachers' strike in San Francisco in 47 years, signaling growing tensions between the union and the school district over compensation and working conditions. The outcome could have significant impacts on the city's public education system and families.

The details

The two sides have reached an impasse in negotiations, with the union demanding higher pay raises and the district arguing it lacks the surplus funds to meet those demands without making cuts elsewhere. A neutral fact-finding committee is expected to recommend an offer on Wednesday, and if the union rejects the deal, a strike could be declared.

  • The UESF voted on Saturday to authorize the strike.
  • The two sides jointly declared an impasse and requested arbitration on January 23.
  • The fact-finding committee is expected to make a recommendation on Wednesday.

The players

United Educators of San Francisco (UESF)

The union representing over 6,000 San Francisco public school employees, including teachers, substitutes, paraeducators, counselors, social workers and nurses.

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)

The public school district in San Francisco that has been negotiating with the UESF union.

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What’s next

If the union rejects the fact-finding committee's recommendation on Wednesday, a strike could be declared.

The takeaway

This labor dispute highlights the ongoing challenges facing public education systems, as teachers unions push for better compensation and working conditions while school districts grapple with budget constraints. The outcome could have significant implications for San Francisco's students and families.