San Francisco Unified warned Friday that public schools could shut next week if teachers carry out a threatened strike — the city's first in nearly 50 years. Union members have signaled a potential walkout on Monday unless a deal is reached; bargaining between SFUSD and the United Educators of San Francisco has been ongoing since March 2025. A district panel proposed 3% raises on July 1, 2025 and another 3% on July 1, 2026, but union leaders say the proposal lacks urgency. Mayor Daniel Lurie said the city would provide free meals and some extended child care services if a strike occurs.
San Francisco Schools Could Close Next Week as Teachers Threaten First Strike in Nearly 50 Years
The San Francisco skyline is visible on April 26, 2023.(AP Images)
San Francisco public schools could close as early as next week if members of the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) follow through on a threatened strike, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) warned on Friday.
SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su said a walkout would force campuses to shut and — if it occurs — would be the city's first teachers' strike in nearly 50 years. Union leaders have indicated they may begin striking on Monday unless a deal is reached.
San Francisco schools may have to shut down if a teachers' strike occurs in the next few days, the district announced on Friday.
Negotiations between SFUSD and UESF have been ongoing since March 2025. Emails obtained by The San Francisco Chronicle show union officials were dissatisfied after a round of bargaining that had been expected to resume Friday evening, saying that "given the proposal we received last night it was clear the district needed more time to prepare a serious offer." The district has described its situation as "grappling with a dire fiscal reality."
Proposed Pay Increases
A district advisory panel recommended a 3% wage increase effective July 1, 2025, followed by an additional 3% increase on July 1, 2026. The proposal has not satisfied union leaders, who say more urgent action is needed.
Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, in a statement late Thursday said that members were disappointed by the district.
"We do not want a strike," Su said. "Our goal continues to be to keep our children in classrooms. I remain hopeful that our labor partners will return to the bargaining table so that we can review this report and avoid any disruption to student learning."
"We are incredibly disappointed in the district's continued lack of urgency here," UESF President Cassondra Curiel said. "All week, we have been bombarded with the message that the district was prepared to come to the table and give us a serious proposal."
If teachers do strike, Mayor Daniel Lurie said city departments will step in to provide free meals and some extended child care services, according to KQED. District and city officials have urged both sides to continue bargaining to avoid disruptions for students and families.
As negotiations continue, families, educators and city officials are watching closely for any last-minute agreement that could prevent a walkout and the widespread school closures it would cause.
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