(BCN) -- A teachers strike will keep San Francisco Unified School District schools closed for a second day Tuesday. Members of the roughly 6,000-strong teachers employed by SFUSD will hit the picket lines again, according to United Educators of San Francisco, the union representing them. "The stri ke follows nearly a year of bargaining over the key issues of wages, health benefits, staffing and support for special needs students," said the union Monday night. A rally and march focused on what the union says are the unmet needs of special education students has been scheduled for noon Tuesday at Mission Dolores Park. More than 10,000 people participated in a rally Monday in support of teachers and other staff, according to the union. SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su said all schools would remain closed in the district Tuesday. The district serves approximately 50,000 students. SFUSD spokesperson Laura Dudnick said Monday that the district is continuing negotiations with the union and wants to reach an agreement soon. "We know that every day that students are not in school, it's a day of missed learning and missed connections with their peers and teachers," Dudnick said. "We want the strike to end." She said the district "remains committed" to finding a "fiscally responsible" agreement that supports students and educators and that there is an urgent need to reach that agreement. "We are ready to work around the clock, and we are working around the clock," she said. The district has most recently proposed a package that it says is equivalent to a 6% salary increase over two years and a health benefits allowance of $24,000 a year. SFUSD has a structural deficit of over $100 million and is under state oversight due to its long-standing budget woes. In December, Su said the district hoped to fully restore local control by March, but that doing so would require budget cuts. In an email sent out Monday night, the union reiterated that among other sticking points, it wants better health care benefits. "Due to the high cost of living in San Francisco and monthly family healthcare premiums as high as $1,500 per month, UESF has had a hard time recruiting and retaining staff, especially for special education classrooms," wrote the union. "Many nearby school districts by comparison offer fully funded healthcare benefits." San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie again took to social media on Monday evening to encourage both sides to keep talking and "get this deal done." "I want our kids back in school as quickly as possible," he said on X. "Our kids deserve schools where they can thrive and their educators feel truly supported. I hope that the adults keep talking and reach an agreement as soon as possible so our kids can get back in the classroom where they belong." Copyright © 2026 Bay City News, Inc. ...read more read less