San Francisco Teachers' Strike: Parents Face Uncertain Future

Thu Feb 12 2026 01:06:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As a teacher's strike continues in San Francisco, parents navigate childcare and education uncertainties for their children amidst negotiations for better wages and resources.

In response to a teachers' strike affecting nearly 50,000 students in San Francisco, parents like Connor Haught are struggling to maintain their children's education and daily schedules. With schools closed for multiple days, families are relying on alternative childcare solutions and planning activities, uncertain how long the strike will last, while teachers advocate for better pay and resources.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The ongoing teachers' strike in San Francisco has left parents scrambling to keep their children occupied and educated. Connor Haught, a construction worker who works from home, shares his struggle to balance work while managing his daughters' needs amid the uncertainty of when the strike will end.

With nearly 50,000 students out of the classroom, the San Francisco Unified School District’s 120 schools have remained closed for several days as around 6,000 teachers negotiate for better wages, improved health benefits, and increased support for students with special needs.

As parents grapple with this situation, many are turning to after-school programs and relying on family and friends for childcare support. Haught and his wife, who works evenings, have attempted to organize playdates and outings for their daughters, ages 8 and 9, but they're uncertain how to proceed if the strike extends beyond the first week.

The big concern for parents is really the timeline of it all and preparing for how long this could go on, Haught expressed. Some parents worry about the financial impact of keeping their children engaged in various programs as they navigate uncertain work schedules.

Negotiations between the United Educators of San Francisco and school district officials have been ongoing for almost a year, focusing on key issues such as family healthcare access, salary increases, and filling vacancies in special education. Teachers on the picket lines believe that the strike, although challenging for students, will ultimately benefit them by advocating for essential improvements in schools.

Superintendent Maria Su noted that there was some progress in negotiations, but significant topics such as wage increases and comprehensive healthcare benefits remain unresolved. The union's request for a 9% salary increase to ease living costs in one of the nation's most expensive cities faced pushback, with the district offering only a 6% raise over three years due to its financial crisis.

As the strike continues, parent Sonia Sanabria has had to take time off work to care for her children, further emphasizing the importance of resolving the strike swiftly. She supports the teachers' demands for better wages and healthcare, hoping for a quick resolution.