Mayor Lurie Urges 72-Hour Delay in San Francisco Teachers’ Strike

In a critical moment for San Francisco’s education system, Mayor Daniel Lurie and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi made urgent appeals on Sunday for a compromise between teachers and the San Francisco Unified School District. Their request for a 72-hour delay in the anticipated teachers’ strike was met with resistance.

Mayor Lurie’s Request for Delay

Mayor Lurie called for a three-day postponement of the strike set to start on Monday. He emphasized the need for further negotiations to ensure an agreement that would support educators while maintaining the district’s fiscal stability. His statement came shortly after 1 p.m., urging both sides to engage in dialogue.

Support from Political Leaders

Pelosi supported Lurie’s request, reiterating the importance of extending negotiations. State Senator Scott Wiener voiced similar sentiments, highlighting a unified call for a peaceful resolution before the strike.

Union’s Position on Strike

Despite the appeals from city officials, the teachers’ union remained resolute. Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, confirmed that without an acceptable proposal from the district, the walkout would proceed as scheduled. She stated, “We will be going on strike on Monday absent a signed tentative agreement.”

Negotiation Updates

• The negotiations have been ongoing since March.
• Both sides met on Saturday from 11 a.m. to nearly 10 p.m.
• Curiel mentioned some advancements, including protections for undocumented students being included in the union contract.
• Key demands from the union include fully-funded family healthcare, enhancements to special education, and salary increases without concessions.

The union presented an offer to the district at 2 p.m. on Saturday and received a counteroffer later that evening. Union officials are awaiting further information from the district to formulate a response.

Superintendent’s Response

Superintendent Maria Su expressed her disappointment about the lack of agreement in the previous negotiations. Having missed prior discussions, she participated actively on Saturday, affirming her readiness to work toward a comprehensive agreement.

Time is of the essence as negotiations continue, with schools set to close on Monday and teachers planning to picket. The city’s education system faces a pivotal moment as stakeholders seek to prevent disruption to students and families.