San Francisco teachers strike over wages, health benefits and student resources

February 9, 2026 - 22:32

Schools across San Francisco are closed today as thousands of teachers and staff have gone on strike, halting instruction for approximately 50,000 students. The district has shuttered all 120 of its schools, offering only an independent study option for some children during the work stoppage.

The walkout, organized by the United Educators of San Francisco union, centers on three core issues: competitive wages, protected health benefits, and increased direct resources for students. Educators argue that San Francisco's exorbitant cost of living has made it impossible for many to reside in the city they serve, creating staffing shortages and instability. They are seeking a significant raise to address retention and recruitment crises.

Furthermore, the union is fighting proposed cuts to health benefits and demanding more support staff, such as nurses and counselors, to address student well-being directly. District officials have stated that while they value their employees, their current financial offers are constrained by a looming budget deficit.

With no immediate resolution in sight, the strike underscores the deepening challenges facing urban public school systems as they struggle to balance fiscal realities with the need to support both their students and the educators essential to their success. The closure forces many families to scramble for childcare and highlights the critical role schools play in the community beyond academics.