San Francisco Court Clerks End Two-Day Strike

Clerks reach agreement with court, services to resume Monday

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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San Francisco court clerks went on strike Thursday and Friday to demand more staff and better working conditions as caseloads surge, but reached an agreement with the court by Friday afternoon. The details of the new union contract still need to be ratified by the 220 clerks, but the court made 'important concessions' on issues like cost-of-living adjustments, time off, staffing, and training.

Why it matters

The strike highlighted the mounting caseloads and staffing issues facing San Francisco's court system, which have been exacerbated by increased arrests for low-level crimes under the new district attorney and mayor. The court had previously warned it may have to release suspects without access to lawyers due to the strain on public defenders.

The details

The two-day strike shut down courtrooms at the San Francisco Hall of Justice, with some areas becoming a 'ghost town' while others remained chaotic and full. After negotiations resumed on Thursday, the court made concessions on key issues like cost-of-living adjustments, time off, staffing, and training, leading the union to recommend the agreement for ratification.

  • The strike began on Thursday morning, February 27, 2026.
  • An agreement was reached by Friday afternoon, February 28, 2026.
  • Court services are set to resume on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Rob Borders

A courtroom clerk and member of the union's bargaining team.

SEIU 1021

The union representing the approximately 220 court clerks in San Francisco.

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney who has prioritized arrests for low-level crimes.

Daniel Lurie

The Mayor of San Francisco.

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What they’re saying

“We convened our chapter membership and reached consensus that it was the right thing to do for our families and the public to recommend this agreement for ratification and return to work on Monday morning.”

— Rob Borders, Courtroom clerk and union bargaining team member (Mission Local)

“We made it very clear to court management that the court can't function without us. We feel that we made our voices heard and look forward to getting back to serving the public.”

— Rob Borders, Courtroom clerk and union bargaining team member (Mission Local)

What’s next

The new union contract still needs to be ratified by a majority vote of the 220 court clerks before it can be finalized.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing staffing and workload challenges facing San Francisco's court system, which have been exacerbated by increased arrests and prosecutions. The quick resolution shows the critical role court clerks play in keeping the justice system functioning, and the need for the city to address these systemic issues to ensure timely and equitable access to the courts.