Going on strike

After ongoing frustration over lack of pay and overall support from their administration, custodians, foodservice employees and secretaries working for the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) voted earlier this month in a nearly unanimous fashion to go on strike if demands are not met, as reported by the San Fransisco Examiner.

The nearly 900 workers, who are represented by SIEU 1021, claim that despite a year-long negotiation process, the district is failing to follow labor laws which include increased compensation. Part of the demands include a pay raise that will match neighboring school districts such as Berkeley or San Jose. Currently, SFDSU union workers are making between 16 percent and 25 percent less in comparison on-average. 

The union workers aren’t the only group of employees in contention with the district. Earlier this month the district offered a 15 percent raise (about $10,000 in total) in an effort to dissuade a threatening teachers strike. That offer has no connection to the custodians, secretaries or foodservice employees, however. As it stands, the district custodians make $60,000 for a full-time role, while secretaries make $65,000 and meal prep employees make $56,000. All three figures rank in the bottom of district salaries. 

Union representatives claim that the raises are necessary to keep up with the rampant increases to cost of living in the area. Additional issues circulate around a payroll system that has lead to employees having their pay decreased and benefits reduced. A decision is expected to be made in the coming days, and if the demands are not met, a strike appears possible. The consequences of the strike could include shutting down San Francisco public schools altogether for the remainder of the fall.