san francisco teacher Strikes for health benefits and higher wages drove nearly 50,000 students out of class.

San Francisco Unified School District’s 120 schools will remain closed Wednesday as about 6,000 public school teachers continue to strike. In addition to higher salaries and better health benefits, teachers are seeking more resources for students with special needs.

The union initially called for a 9% raise over two years, saying it would help offset San Francisco’s cost of living, the Associated Press reported. At the same time, the region faces a $100 million deficit and is under state regulation due to a long-running financial crisis, the outlet noted. The district rejected the 9 percent request and countered with a 6 percent raise over three years, the Associated Press reported.

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Teachers, students and supporters picket outside Mission High School in San Francisco on Monday, February 9, 2026. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)

United Educators of San Francisco said in a statement Tuesday Facebook post Twenty thousand people came to the picket line to support the teachers and hailed it as a sign of “unity.” That’s double the number of people on the picket lines on Monday.

The union added that it remains at the bargaining table and will continue to provide updates as they arise. The group said Wednesday morning’s picketing will be followed by a rally “to create a giant human banner — thousands of people will use our bodies to spell out the ‘Strike for Our Students’ message 100 by 300 feet long on the beach.”

Negotiations that lasted nearly a year collapsed despite San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Reps. Nancy PelosiCalifornia Democrats urged both sides to continue discussions and not close schools, the Associated Press reported.

“We will continue to stand united until we win the schools our students deserve and the contracts our members deserve,” Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, said at a news conference Monday morning, according to the Associated Press.

English and physical education teacher Alison White leads a chant at Mission High School in San Francisco on Monday, February 9, 2026, as teachers and San Francisco Unified School District staff participated in a citywide protest demanding fair contracts. (Bronte Witpen/San Francisco Chronicle via Associated Press)

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San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su said Monday that despite facing financial difficulties, the district has developed a comprehensive plan and is awaiting a counteroffer from the union, The Associated Press reported.

“It’s a viable offer. It’s an offer we can afford,” Su said. “We will be at the negotiating table and we will stay as long as a comprehensive agreement is reached. I don’t want a long strike.”

On Tuesday, Su said progress had been made, including support for homeless families, AI training for teachers and establishing best practices for the use of AI tools, the Associated Press reported.

Several teachers cited cost of living issues as a reason for asking for higher wages, with some saying they couldn’t afford the cost of living. san francisco. Atria Rondone, a fourth-grade teacher who has worked for the district for 11 years, said in a video released by the union that she is working two jobs to make ends meet.

“As a single mom living in San Francisco, my salary can’t afford to pay for just me and my son. So, I have to have a second job, and his health care has a huge impact on me paying for it myself,” Rondone says. “We also really need fully staffed schools.”

Teachers, students and supporters picket outside Mission High School in San Francisco on Monday, February 9, 2026. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)

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San Francisco teachers have received support from other unions, including the Chicago Teachers Union, which said in a statement It “proudly stands with the strikers of California.”

“Our members and educators across the country know all too well their struggles for living wages, special education relief, adequate staffing, support for homeless students, and shelter for immigrant families under federal attack: School districts always seem to find money for the bureaucracy, but never enough for classrooms,” the Chicago Teachers Union statement read.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, also joined San Francisco educators on strike, expressing support from the giant union.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.