State report moves S.F. teacher's strike closer. Walkout could come in days.

"Today's release of a report by a state-appointed fact-finding panel triggered the San Francisco teachers union's ability to set a strike date, with Monday as the earliest possibility. The United Educators San Francisco has announced that it is ready to walk off the job. The report is non-binding and cannot prevent or even delay a strike. It recommended three percent annual raises over a two-year contract for San Francisco Unified School District teachers."

"The report found that the district's ongoing state financial oversight and declining enrollment make higher spending unrealistic, even though educators have cited rising living costs. The recommendation aligns with the district's position and reflects a compromise advanced by neutral chair Cheryl A. Stevens, an arbitrator and lecturer at UC Berkeley Law. The district's representative on the panel, Elizabeth Mori, endorsed the report's findings."

"All of the latter fueled a staffing crisis, the union contends. "With recent increases, high rents, and Bay Area cost of living being taken into account, SFUSD must provide fully funded family healthcare to UESF members," wrote Su, no relation to SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su. "The district will see further destabilizing of staffing if they do not prioritize this issue.""

A state-appointed fact-finding panel recommended three percent annual raises over a two-year contract while finding the district's offer too paltry and the union's demand too generous. The panel's report is non-binding but legally allows the teachers union to call a strike 48 hours after notice; United Educators San Francisco has said it is ready to walk off the job. The panel cited state financial oversight and declining enrollment as constraints on higher spending, aligning with the district's position under neutral chair Cheryl A. Stevens. The district representative endorsed the report. The union representative issued a dissent emphasizing low pay, inadequate benefits, staffing instability, and demanded fully funded family healthcare.

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