On Saturday, January 31, hundreds of SEIU 1021 members from SF Unified School District gathered, both on Zoom and in person, to learn about their right to strike, including the right to participate in a solidarity strike with educators.

In addition to inspiring opening remarks from their chapter president, Antonaé Roberston, and chapter vice president, Jennifer Pon, union members were galvanized by special guest Frank Lara, executive vice president of United Educators of San Francisco (UESF).

The bargaining team has shown ample patience during the frustrating months of negotiations with the district. However, despite their efforts, the union and the district remain far apart on several critical issues, including ongoing health and safety issues and, notably, immigration language to protect SFUSD students and workers. This language wouldn’t cost the district any money, yet they have refused to engage with unions around adding extra protections that could help San Francisco families.

“At this critical moment, we must unite in support of our students—many of whom are our own children—and our school communities for the future of San Francisco’s public education system,” said SEIU 1021 SFUSD Chapter President Antonaé Robertson. ”On Saturday, we saw many of our members go from concerned and uncertain to fired up and ready to stand alongside our union siblings in a sympathy strike or even our own.” 

A strike vote hasn’t taken place yet, but if a majority of voting members say “yes” to authorize a strike, the bargaining team will then have permission to move forward and determine when and if the conditions are right to strike. With teachers moving toward their own imminent strike, this could be a historic moment for SFUSD education workers across the board.