San Francisco Schools Close After Teachers Strike Over Failed Negotiations

United Educators of San Francisco strikes after contract talks with San Francisco Unified School District collapsed, affecting 50,000 students.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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San Francisco's public schools are closed after the school district and teachers' union failed to agree on a new contract over the weekend. The United Educators of San Francisco went on strike before school began, marking the first strike of San Francisco educators since 1979. The union cited the district's "lack of urgency" in addressing issues like special education, healthcare, and salaries.

Why it matters

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between teachers' unions and school districts over issues like compensation, benefits, and resources for students. It disrupts education for tens of thousands of students and families in San Francisco and raises questions about the district's financial challenges and ability to reach a deal with the union.

The details

The United Educators of San Francisco went on strike after contract talks with the San Francisco Unified School District collapsed. The union said the district's proposals on special education, healthcare, and salaries "didn't go far enough." Negotiations had been planned for Friday evening, but the union was not pleased with the district's offer, saying "the district needed more time to prepare a serious offer." The district is grappling with a "dire fiscal reality" and had recommended a 3% wage increase effective July 1, 2025, followed by an additional 3% increase on July 1, 2026.

  • The United Educators of San Francisco went on strike before school began on Monday, February 9, 2026.
  • Negotiations between the union and the school district had been planned for Friday evening, February 6, 2026.

The players

United Educators of San Francisco

The labor union representing teachers and other educators in the San Francisco Unified School District.

San Francisco Unified School District

The public school district serving the city of San Francisco, which is grappling with financial challenges.

Cassondra Curiel

The president of the United Educators of San Francisco.

Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco, who promised that the city's departments would offer free meals and some extended child care services in the event of school closures.

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What they’re saying

“We will walk the picket line on Monday February 9 and then rally at Civic Center at 1pm for an agreement that meets the needs of our students and our educators. Last night we spent a lot of time at the table negotiating with SFUSD [San Francisco Unified School District].”

— United Educators of San Francisco, Labor union (foxnews.com)

“We were ready to finally hear from the district that they are ready to come to an agreement that will finally bring stability to our students. But the proposals the district came with to address special education, healthcare, and salary just didn't go far enough. We did see some movement from the district last night–and are happy that we came to an agreement on Sanctuary Schools.”

— United Educators of San Francisco, Labor union (foxnews.com)

“We are incredibly disappointed in the district's continued lack of urgency here. All week, we have been bombarded with the message that the district was prepared to come to the table and give us a serious proposal.”

— Cassondra Curiel, President, United Educators of San Francisco (foxnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between teachers' unions and school districts over issues like compensation, benefits, and resources for students. It disrupts education for tens of thousands of students and families in San Francisco and raises questions about the district's financial challenges and ability to reach a deal with the union.