SF schools set to shut down Monday as no deal is reached with teachers’ union

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco school teachers are set to go on strike Monday. The school district’s superintendent says after another round of negotiations with the teachers’ union on Thursday, no deal has been reached.

“For our families and students, I want to be very clear. We are working really hard with our educators to prevent this strike,” an emotional Superintendent Maria Su spoke at SFUSD headquarters on Friday.

Su saying the district’s latest proposal addresses many of the demands of local educators, including key sticking points on healthcare and wages.

“This is a win-win proposal. The district gets financial certainty because it will only spend money we have. And our educators get money directly into their pockets,” said Su.

The two sides are at an impasse after nearly a year of negotiations.

The district says it’s limited in what it can offer because of its massive budget deficit.

But the union insists SFUSD has the money.

“Instead of spending it on reserves or putting it as a savings account, they should be investing in our classrooms,” said United Educators of San Francisco Vice President Frank Lara.

Frank Lara believes the district is lacking transparency and not negotiating in good faith.

“What she showed up with last night, which she didn’t show herself personally, was the complete lack of seriousness and preparedness for the moment we are in,” said Lara.

Su wants the union to provide counter proposals to the district’s latest offer.

Lara says they plan to do that at the next round of talks scheduled for Saturday.

Because if there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that a deal needs to be reached.

“The clock is ticking. Every minute counts,” said Su.