Payroll Debacle Pushes SF Teachers to the Brink of Strike

San Francisco teachers have voted 97% in favor of authorizing a strike due to ongoing issues with the district's payroll system, EMPowerSF. The system, which was implemented in January 2022, has been plagued with problems, including teachers being unpaid, underpaid, or mispaid. The payroll debacle has caused frustration and anxiety among teachers, leading to a lack of trust and a willingness to strike. The district's failure to address the payroll issues has also led to a breakdown in relations between teachers and management. The strike could have significant implications for the city, including disruptions to student learning, potential strikes by other city workers, and the jeopardization of a proposed $1 billion school bond.