S.F. teachers set to vote on strike

Days before heading back to school, San Francisco teachers will take their first of two votes that could lead to a strike after months of labor negotiations have failed to produce a new contract.

The vote Thursday night would not trigger a strike, but instead authorize the United Educators of San Francisco officials to schedule a strike vote. That probably wouldn't happen until September, so there's still time to seek a settlement, said union President Dennis Kelly.

"The largest problem is around money," he said. "We think they've got the money to meet all the demands we've put out." The union has asked for a 21 percent raise over three years. The district wants to give teachers 8.5 percent.

The two sides have been negotiating since February. In June, the district declared an impasse and a mediator was brought in to help bring the two sides back to the table.

Superintendent Richard Carranza said the district's offer includes the salary increase as well as a 4 percent increase to teacher pensions.

He also noted that even during the recession, teachers received pay increases related to years of experience, and the district covered health care cost increases.

Nonetheless, teacher Geri Almanza said she'll be supporting the strike vote Thursday night.

"I have a daughter. I've been living here for 20 years," said Almanza, a fourth-grade teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary School. "It's always scary to think about not having enough money to be here as a family."

If a majority of teachers support the preliminary vote Thursday and a strike vote in the coming weeks or months, union leadership would then need to schedule a strike.

That can't happen until all mediation and fact-finding processes have been exhausted. The next mediation session is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Despite the impending vote, teachers and district officials said they were looking forward to Monday, when students head back to classrooms.

"We are currently in mediation with UESF and remain hopeful that we can resolve our differences and reach a fair and equitable compensation agreement," Carranza said. "Families can rest assured that schools will be open on Monday, and we are excited to welcome our students to the new school year."