Tony Thurmond made an unwanted visit to the San Francisco teachers’ strike
California schools chief Tony Thurmond objected to teacher strike talks in San Francisco, but withdrew early after offering little more than “Useless tweet A source told the newspaper: “We promised to join the conversation.”
Thurmond, California’s superintendent of schools and a candidate for governor, burst into town mid-morning offering to help “facilitate” an end to the violence. The strike lasted days This resulted in 50,000 students being kept out of school since Monday – but he never made it to the negotiating room and left town by the afternoon, when the evening’s discussions were just beginning, a source said.
“He wants it to seem like he’s resolved this issue, but he certainly wasn’t into the specifics or the specifics,” a source familiar with the talks told The Washington Post.
Thurmond’s unwanted cameo was seen as an attempt to emerge as a hero in his failed bid for governor, with polls showing the progressive school president and former lawmaker at 3%.
“The California Department of Education has no formal role or oversight of the terms being negotiated, but I have remained in regular contact with the parties and offering to join the conversation in an informal role to help end the strike,” Thurmond posted to X on Tuesday morning.
“Both sides remained at the table. They are working hard and can reach an agreement if they can get through some of the complex talks that still need to be worked out,” he added.
“That’s a useless statement, Tony…” an onlooker said X answered.
Thurmond’s “white knight” appearance with local officials reportedly fell through as fraught contract negotiations stretched into Tuesday evening.
After a scheduled meeting with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lury, Thurmond entered into contract negotiations at the War Memorial Building in Francisco, but was reportedly on the freeway out of town by 4:30 p.m., the source said.
Contract talks extended past 10 p.m., but ended after union bosses suddenly “abandoned” the talks, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The San Francisco United Federation of Teachers is demanding a 9% raise over two years and fully funded health care benefits, arguing that they cannot afford to live in San Francisco on a median annual salary of about $100,000. The San Francisco Unified School District, struggling with a $100 million deficit and an ongoing budget crisis, claims it can’t handle teachers’ demands.
The striking teachers went so far as to demand that parents do so Refrain from studying at home To support their bid for better wages and conditions.
Thurmond wasn’t the only gubernatorial candidate to show up on strike as contenders raced to support powerful teachers unions.
East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell visited protesters outside City Hall and Pledge to support “I will be with you all the way,” the local union said in a video clip posted on social media.
Likewise, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer joined teachers on the picket line and targeted San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, He described his rival for governor as “anti-union.”
Thurmond’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
