San Francisco Unions, Workers Protest Looming Job Cuts

Layoff notices issued as city faces $643 million budget deficit

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:18am by

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A dynamic, fragmented painting of a government building in shades of blue and violet, conveying a sense of unrest and uncertainty around budget decisions.Unions and workers protest proposed job cuts that could impact critical public services in San Francisco.San Francisco Today

Unions and city workers in San Francisco are protesting looming job cuts as the city faces a $643 million budget deficit. Over 100 layoff notices have already been issued, with more potentially on the way, impacting healthcare and senior services workers. Union members are pushing back, arguing the cuts are unnecessary and that the city should dip into reserves or raise taxes on high-earning corporate executives instead.

Why it matters

The proposed job cuts at San Francisco General Hospital and other city departments could have a significant impact on the delivery of critical public services, especially for vulnerable populations like seniors. The protests highlight the tensions between city leadership's budget-balancing efforts and the demands of public sector unions and workers.

The details

Mayor Daniel Lurie's administration has already issued over 100 layoff notices as part of a plan to close the city's $643 million budget deficit. Unions representing healthcare and senior services workers, like nurse Maria-Elena Healy and geriatric clinic worker Francisca Oropeza, are pushing back, arguing the layoffs are unnecessary and will severely impact residents. Union members are encouraging voters to pass Proposition D, which would raise taxes on the city's highest corporate executive earners.

  • On April 16, 2026, unions and city workers protested the looming job cuts in San Francisco.
  • The city has already issued over 100 layoff notices as part of Mayor Lurie's plan to close a $643 million deficit.
  • Lurie's proposed budget for the next fiscal year is due on June 1, 2026.

The players

Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco who has proposed job cuts and a budget to close a $643 million deficit.

Maria-Elena Healy

A nurse at Laguna Honda Hospital who received a layoff notice along with her entire team of four.

Francisca Oropeza

A worker at a geriatric clinic in the Outer Mission neighborhood who still has a job but faces uncertainty about the clinic's future.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know who's going to do the work. I don't know who's going to pick this up. All of our residents are going to be impacted by this loss.”

— Maria-Elena Healy, Nurse, Laguna Honda Hospital

“They're closing our positions. It's all up in the air. We're in limbo. Supposedly they're going to send us off to different positions.”

— Francisca Oropeza, Geriatric Clinic Worker

What’s next

Lurie's proposed budget for the next fiscal year is due on June 1, 2026, which will provide more details on the extent of the proposed job cuts and budget balancing measures.

The takeaway

The protests by unions and city workers highlight the difficult choices facing San Francisco's leadership as they work to address a significant budget deficit. The proposed job cuts could have a major impact on public services, especially for vulnerable populations, and the debate over how to balance the budget will likely continue in the coming months.