AFTER SCHOOL: Strikers Go Hard

The strike is the most powerful weapon that workers have. But it isn't a weapon that is easy to use.

It isn't easy to organize a strike. Workers can't just be called to a walk off. They have to organize themselves into the strike, building strong and active bonds together, often across what are sprawling workplaces. Even more difficult is the fact that a strike will rarely win overnight, or even within a few days. Strikes will sometimes have to take on a 'long-haul' dimension, meaning that a successful strike will have to wind itself across time, inflicting longer-term damage that the employer can't take.

How long will the SF teachers remain on strike? We can only speculate — and it isn't up to us — but after speaking with strikers across the last four days, we get the impression that workers will go as long as it takes.

DAY #4 STRIKE UPDATES ☻

• Momentum Continues for Strikers: Another day of strong pickets across San Francisco. We're told — across many conversations at many sites — that educators feel as though the momentum remains on the side of the strikers.
• Student Protest at SFUSD Boss' Home: The youth brought the fight to SFUSD Superintendent Su's home. We aren't sure how much her home's worth, but, with a salary of over $385,000 per year, we're sure its plush.
• SFUSD Starting to Move in Bargaining— but Proposal Falls Short: Teachers say that the most recent offer was not good enough, but suddenly the district is starting to move on wages and healthcare. Here's the boss's most recent offer:
  • Classified Salary: 4.5% for year 1, 4.5% for year 2
  • Certificated Salary: 2% for year 1, 2% for year 2
  • Special Education Workload: Still in progress
  • Healthcare: Fully funded family coverage at Kaiser rates by January 1, 2027
  • As one striking worker told us regarding the proposal: "Not great, but obv they feel the heat."
• The Strike CONTINUES Tomorrow: The Strike CONTINUES tomorrow, aka Friday, February 13. Pickets will be organized at sites across SFUSD — and there'll be a 12pm rally at Dolores Park.
• Looking Forward to Next Week: Strike's still on for next week, but there'll be no pickets on Monday and Tuesday due to holidays. Site pickets to resume on Wednesday.

LOSERS AND HATERS ☹

• Mr. “frustrated with both sides” Lurie shows his real priorities — and it's cracking teachers up: As it turns out, Lurie requested PG&E to switch the power back on for his daughter's performance of the Nutcracker. Meanwhile. residents across SF were left to fend for themselves.