San Francisco Teachers End Strike With Pay Raises, Full Health Coverage

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After a four-day strike, San Francisco teachers and the school district reached a tentative agreement that includes pay raises, fully funded health benefits for dependents, and changes to special education staffing. The $183 million deal will be funded in part by dipping into the district's $111 million rainy day fund, though it still needs approval from union members, the school board, and state financial regulators who have veto power over SFUSD's finances.

Why it matters

The strike was the first in nearly 50 years for San Francisco teachers, highlighting the ongoing tensions between educators, the school district, and state oversight over district finances. The agreement aims to address long-standing issues around teacher pay, benefits, and working conditions, but the district's precarious budget situation means more difficult conversations lie ahead.

The details

The tentative agreement includes 2% annual raises for teachers over two years, an 8.5% increase for classified employees like paraeducators over two years, and fully funded health benefits for dependents starting in 2027. It also sets caseload goals for special education staff and provides funding for additional support. However, the district will use existing parcel tax funds to cover the increases, which the union had opposed as a 'take-back'.

• The strike lasted four days, from February 9-13, 2026.
• The new contract is retroactive to July 1, 2025.
• The full health benefits for dependents will be implemented starting July 2027.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The tentative agreement still needs to be approved by the union rank-and-file, the school board, and the state Department of Education, which has veto power over the district's financial decisions.