"Thousands of public schoolteachers in San Francisco went on strike Monday, the first public schoolteachers strike in the city in nearly 50 years. The strike comes after teachers and the district failed to reach an agreement over higher wages, health benefits, and more resources for special needs students. The San Francisco Unified School District closed all its 120 schools and said it would offer independent study to some of the district's 50,000 students."
"We are facing an affordability crisis, Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, said in a statement Sunday night. Family healthcare premiums of $1,500 per month are pushing excellent teachers and support staff out of our district. This week, we said enough is enough. Teachers with the union were joining the picket line after last-ditch negotiations over the weekend failed to reach a new contract."
"The union is asking for a 9% raise over two years, which would mean an additional $92 million per year for the district. They say that money could come from reserve funds that could be directed back to classrooms and school sites. SFUSD, which faces a $100 million deficit and is under state oversight because of a long-standing financial crisis, rejected the idea."
Thousands of public schoolteachers in San Francisco began a strike, closing all 120 district schools and prompting offers of independent study for some of the district's 50,000 students. Teachers demanded fully funded family health care, a 9% salary increase over two years, and filling of vacant positions affecting special education and services. Union leaders highlighted rising family healthcare premiums and affordability pressures pushing staff out. Negotiations had lasted nearly a year and resumed midday Monday after weekend talks failed. City leaders urged continued talks. The San Francisco Unified School District cited a $100 million deficit and rejected using reserve funds for the raises.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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