San Francisco Teachers' Strike Ends With Tentative Deal

Union and school district reach agreement on pay raises and healthcare benefits

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A teachers' strike in San Francisco that closed public schools for around 50,000 students this week has ended as the union reached a tentative agreement with the cash-strapped school district. The deal includes a 5% raise over two years for teachers and fully funded healthcare for union members and their families starting in 2027.

Why it matters

The San Francisco teachers' strike could portend more labor unrest in California, where educators in other major districts have signaled they are prepared to strike for higher pay, smaller class sizes, and more resources. The tensions come as COVID relief funds have ended and public school enrollment has declined, leading to reduced state funding.

The details

The tentative contract between the San Francisco Unified School District and United Educators of San Francisco also includes an 8.5% pay raise over two years for lower-paid classified employees, as well as sanctuary school protections for immigrant and refugee students and limitations on the district's use of artificial intelligence.

  • The strike began on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Schools will remain closed on Monday, February 17 for Presidents Day and Tuesday, February 18 for Lunar New Year.
  • Schools are expected to reopen on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

United Educators of San Francisco

The union representing San Francisco teachers that reached the tentative agreement with the school district.

San Francisco Unified School District

The cash-strapped school district that reached the tentative agreement with the teachers' union.

Maria Su

The superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District.

Cassondra Curiel

The president of the United Educators of San Francisco teachers' union.

Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco.

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What they’re saying

“We won!”

— United Educators of San Francisco (United Educators of San Francisco)

“We know our work is not done. While we didn't win everything we know we deserve, this strike allowed us to imagine our schools and classrooms as they should be with staffing levels high enough that our students can learn and thrive.”

— United Educators of San Francisco (United Educators of San Francisco)

“I recognize that this past week has been challenging. I am so proud of the resilience and strength of our community. This is a new beginning, and I want to celebrate our diverse community of educators, administrators, parents, and students as we come together and heal.”

— Maria Su, Superintendent, San Francisco Unified School District (latimes.com)

“The affordability crisis for those of us devoted to San Francisco's next generation is real.”

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

What’s next

The tentative agreement still needs to be ratified by the union membership and approved by the school district's board of education.

The takeaway

The San Francisco teachers' strike highlights the ongoing challenges facing public schools in California, including budget deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for higher pay and better benefits to attract and retain educators. The resolution of this strike could set the tone for future labor negotiations in other major school districts across the state.