United Educators of San Francisco President Cassondra Curiel was beaming Friday — not because it was 70 degrees in February, but because her union’s new contract had officially been ratified by 92% of teachers.
Following a four-day strike earlier this month, Curiel’s 6,000-member union received its chief demand from San Francisco Unified School District: fully funded healthcare for dependents. It was enough, the union leader said, for some of her members to start planning on conceiving children.
“It’s inspiring conversations amongst members who have been holding off or uncertain financially,” Curiel said. “That’s really a great thing for San Francisco, because it’s not just techies who live here.”
But the ripple effects of the strike carry on. SFUSD has said the terms of its new contract, which include raises of between 5% and 8.5% over the next two years, will cost $183 million(opens in new tab) through the 2027-28 school year. The district is now planning to issue preliminary lay-off notices for 42 positions, including instructional aides and art teachers.