San Francisco schools to be closed Friday as teachers' strike continues
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- No deal means the teacher strike continues in San Francisco for a fifth day on Friday.
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Thousands of educators marched down San Francisco's Market Street. Educators said they are standing strong in the face of uncertainty. The main issues on the table are wages, health care and special education.
"Living wage. To be able to live in a city that I love. Being part of the community it's so important. I've been with the district 15 years, and I'm committed to finishing my career here," said Melinda Nokes, SFUSD teacher librarian as she marched.
For Monique Wood, a special education teacher changes to the workload model and smaller caseloads are priority, but as a parent living in San Francisco almost a week of not getting paid is becoming harder every day.
"Financially, how long do you think you can go for?" ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Luz Pena asked.
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"Yesterday, I was probably okay. I really hope they come to an agreement today and if not, I will be here," said Wood.
That's the sentiment we heard from other educators who are hoping both sides reach an agreement soon. Aurora Hernandez, a preschool teacher got emotional speaking about their resilience to push through while also knowing that bills are looming over.
"Right now I'm not trying to spend on anything because I don't know for how long I have to stretch what I have," said Hernandez.
On Thursday morning, in a statement the school district gave an update saying in part:
"On Wednesday, Feb. 11 the SFUSD bargaining team, including Superintendent Dr. Maria Su, engaged in 16 hours of bargaining with the UESF team. At 1:33 a.m. on Feb. 12, SFUSD passed our latest counteroffer to UESF."
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Hours later, Cassondra Curiel with the United Educators of San Francisco said, "We are unclear where the district is intending to meet us. We know we need fully funded 100% premium covered health care in this contract in order to get us back in on Kaiser. Most of us are in Kaiser plans so we need to make sure we can meet that need we need to have wage increases that are able to keep us working and living in this city."
As teachers, parents and students await a resolution other district sub-contractors like bus drivers were advised to sign up for unemployment as the strike continues.
"They are basically leaving us on a day-to-day notice. Which is for anyone who lives paycheck to paycheck knows it's extremely stressful that even getting the maximum of unemployment is $450 a week which is not enough to pay rent in this city," said Meghann Adams, Local President Smart TD 1741.
Monday and Tuesdays are holidays, so schools will be closed which means the earliest students could go back to the classroom would be Wednesday if a deal is reached.
The last teacher strike in San Francisco lasted nearly seven weeks in 1979.
