San Francisco Teachers Strike Enters Day 3 as Negotiations Drag On

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The San Francisco teachers' strike has entered its third day, with schools in the city remaining closed as the union, UESF, and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) continue to negotiate. The key sticking points are the union's demands around healthcare and special education staffing, which the district says it cannot meet due to its current budget crisis and the need to maintain fiscal solvency.

Why it matters

The prolonged strike is causing significant disruption for families in San Francisco, with parents struggling to manage days with their children home from school. The outcome of the negotiations will have major implications for the city's public education system, teacher compensation, and the district's long-term financial stability.

The details

The district had originally proposed a 2% raise for all educators, which is less than the state's cost-of-living adjustment for the year. It later offered a 6% raise over two years for certificated staff, but the union is still waiting on proposals that meet its demands around healthcare and special education staffing. SFUSD says it cannot make offers beyond its financial means, as it is currently under state oversight and predicting a $100 million budget deficit next year. The district has also pointed to its $110 million rainy-day fund and $430 million fund balance as money that the union argues should be used, but the district says those funds serve different purposes and cannot be used for ongoing expenses like salaries and benefits.

• The teachers' strike began on February 9, 2026.
• Negotiations are planned to continue throughout the day on February 11, 2026.

What’s next

Negotiations are planned to continue throughout the day on February 11, 2026, and the judge will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the district to impose its last, best, and final offer.