San Francisco Teachers Begin Strike, Closing Schools for 50,000 Students

San Francisco teachers walked off the job on Monday for the first time since 1979, closing public schools serving roughly 50,000 students. The union, United Educators of San Francisco, said nearly a year of negotiations with the district over raises and health care costs produced no agreement; it represents about 6,000 educators, counselors and nurses across more than 100 schools.

The strike has no set end date. Health care costs were the central dispute. The district pays for individual coverage, but teachers with family plans face premiums the union said are about $1,200 a month and could rise to $1,500. The union has asked the district to cover all medical premiums for members and their dependents and to provide a 9 percent raise over two years; the district offered 6 percent over two years and to pay a large portion of family health costs for three years using local tax funds.

Maria Su, the district superintendent, called the district proposal "a win-win proposal" and said the strike left her no choice but to close schools.

United States, San Francisco

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