San Francisco Teachers Set to Strike on Monday

Negotiations between district and union leaders stall over pay and benefits

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After last-ditch negotiations over the weekend, it appears that San Francisco will see its first teachers strike in nearly 50 years, with educators set to walk out on Monday as the San Francisco Unified School District and union leaders remain at odds over pay and benefits.

Why it matters

This strike represents a significant escalation in tensions between the school district and its teachers, who are seeking better pay and benefits amid the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The outcome of the strike could have major implications for the city's public school system and the thousands of students and families it serves.

The details

The San Francisco teachers union and school district have been in negotiations for months, but have failed to reach an agreement on key issues like teacher salaries and health care costs. Despite last-ditch talks over the weekend, the two sides were unable to come to a compromise, setting the stage for the first teachers strike in the city since the late 1970s.

  • The strike is set to begin on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Negotiations between the district and union leaders continued through the weekend of February 8-9, 2026, but ultimately failed to produce a deal.

The players

San Francisco Unified School District

The public school district serving the city of San Francisco, which is currently in contract negotiations with the local teachers union.

United Educators of San Francisco

The labor union representing teachers and other educators in the San Francisco Unified School District, who are seeking better pay and benefits.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have been negotiating in good faith, but the district's latest offer simply does not meet the needs of our educators and the students they serve.”

— Liz Soto, President, United Educators of San Francisco (San Francisco Chronicle)

“We remain committed to reaching a fair agreement that is fiscally responsible and allows us to continue providing a high-quality education to all of our students.”

— Vincent Matthews, Superintendent, San Francisco Unified School District (San Francisco Examiner)

What’s next

The strike is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 10, 2026, and the district and union have indicated they will continue negotiating in the hopes of reaching a last-minute deal to avert the walkout.

The takeaway

This looming teachers strike underscores the ongoing challenges facing public education in high-cost urban areas like San Francisco, where districts struggle to retain and adequately compensate educators amid rising living expenses. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant ramifications for the city's students and families.