San Francisco Schools Shut Down for Second Day as Teachers Strike

Thousands of educators, students, and community members rally at Civic Center amid ongoing contract negotiations

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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San Francisco's public schools will remain closed on Tuesday as teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District continue a historic strike over wage increases and health care coverage. The strike, the first in the district since 1979, began on Monday with thousands of people, from students to union leaders, gathering for a rally outside City Hall. Union leaders are demanding a 9% salary increase over two years and fully funded health care coverage, while the district has offered a 6% raise over two years and up to $24,000 in annual health benefits.

Why it matters

The strike highlights the ongoing challenges facing public education in San Francisco, where the high cost of living has made it difficult for the district to retain and attract teachers. The outcome of the negotiations could have significant implications for the city's students and families, many of whom rely on schools for meals, mental health support, and childcare.

The details

The strike erupted after labor negotiations stretching back to March 2025 failed to produce an agreement. Union leaders with the United Educators of San Francisco are demanding a 9% salary increase over two years, fully funded health care coverage, increased staffing, and sanctuary school policies. The district's latest offer included a 6% raise over two years and up to $24,000 in annual health benefits. The two sides spent nearly 12 hours on Saturday trying to reach an agreement, but 'little movement' was made on the key issues of wages and health care.

  • The strike began on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Schools will remain closed on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

United Educators of San Francisco

The 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, with nearly 50,000 students.

Anni Wen

An instructional coach for SFUSD teachers who spoke at the rally.

Xisa Buloock Watts

A paraeducator at Alamo Elementary School and a Lowell Elementary alumna who attended the rally.

Ryan Alias

A member of the bargaining committee and an English teacher at Balboa High School.

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What they’re saying

“We don't want to be striking, and when we just got news during this rally that schools are going to be closed tomorrow. So it feels like a big F-U to us. We're ready to go back to schools, and we are so ready to serve our students, our families, our communities, and we want just a fair wage right now.”

— Anni Wen, Instructional coach for SFUSD teachers (SFGATE)

“There's an extra 10% of my paycheck that's going towards buying diapers and food for my students. So I'm happy to be here but I'm genuinely questioning the logic of administration right now, because we just got notice that schools are closed tomorrow.”

— Xisa Buloock Watts, Paraeducator at Alamo Elementary School (SFGATE)

“This is stuff that we've told the district we needed for about 10 months of bargaining and it wasn't until the last 48 hours for the strike, they finally agreed to this stuff. And to be frank, that's the result of our community standing up for us and really making this fight verified.”

— Ryan Alias, Member of the bargaining committee and English teacher at Balboa High School (SFGATE)

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 challenges facing public education in San Francisco, where the high cost of living has made it difficult for the district to retain and attract teachers. The outcome of the negotiations could have significant implications for the city's students and families, many of whom rely on schools for meals, mental health support, and childcare.