Labor’s Vital Role in SF’s School Bond Victory and the Movement for New Leadership
Winning for Schools and Our Future
San Francisco’s labor movement has always been about more than just wages and benefits. It’s about building a city where working families can thrive, where public schools and communities receive the support they deserve, and where our elected leaders are held accountable to the people. On November 5, our collective power made all the difference — not only in securing Measure A, the critical SFUSD bond, but in pushing for a leadership change in the mayor’s office as well.
The City’s workers and union members took action because they comprehend what’s at stake. They walked precincts, phoned neighbors, and rallied to make sure that voters understood the importance of supporting public education and advancing a future where every San Franciscan has a voice. Labor was at the heart of this movement, representing an alliance of workers, families, and community leaders who are deeply invested in the success and equity of our city. We should be very proud of that.
The SFUSD bond was a vital victory. Schools across our city are struggling with aging facilities that fail to meet the needs of students and staff alike. Leaky roofs, faltering heating systems, and dilapidated classrooms constitute an unsafe learning environment that sends a message to our kids that they’re not worth the investment. Labor leaders and members saw that this bond measure wasn’t just a vote to fix buildings; it was a vote to transform a system that supports working families and bolsters the next generation of San Francisco’s workforce.
Passing the school bond wasn’t easy, but our members knew this wasn’t a fight that we could afford to lose — and they understand the value of a quality education. So, every candidate and campaign we coordinated with was asked to carry Measure A material as they knocked on doors. Every building trades mobilization included “Yes on A” messaging.
Our membership also understands the value of bond work. At SFUSD, that work comes with the strong protections of a project labor agreement. Our members, many of whom are parents, recognized that supporting the bond was about providing our kids with safe learning environments and a new central kitchen for fresh food, as well as preparing our children for futures that might very well include careers in our skilled trades.
We can see that when our public schools are strong, our communities are strong. The effort we put into securing this bond has laid the groundwork for continued collaboration between labor, SFUSD leadership, and education advocates. Together, we will keep fighting for the resources and opportunities that our children deserve.
Demanding Accountability and Change
This election was also a moment for San Franciscans to voice their dissatisfaction with the political direction of our city. For too long, working people have shouldered the burden of a city struggling with homelessness, unaffordable housing, and an increasingly strained public infrastructure. Under Mayor London Breed’s administration, we saw promises fall short and too few tangible improvements made in the lives of everyday residents. This election was an opportunity to push for leadership that truly listens to and represents working families.
Our members understood that change in the mayor’s office was critical to ensuring a city that prioritizes public safety, affordable housing, and sustainable growth for all neighborhoods — not just a select few. Labor’s mobilization in support of new leadership may have been splintered among different candidates, but the throughline was about holding City Hall accountable to its promises. We didn’t rally against Breed out of anger, but out of a deep conviction that the city needs a leader who prioritizes real solutions over rhetoric.
From phone-banking to precinct-walking on weekends, our union members connected with voters directly. They reminded San Franciscans of the power of their vote to demand change and to create a city that reflects our shared values. Labor knows that the strength of our city lies in its people, and our members poured themselves into this election not only for their own families but for every resident of San Francisco.
A Path Forward Together
This election serves as a turning point. We have shown that when labor, families, and communities come together, they can affect real change. Our work doesn’t stop here. Labor will continue to be a voice at the table, pushing the new administration for policies that support working families, affordable housing, and quality public education.
Our movement stands ready to work with Mayor-Elect Daniel Lurie, to collaborate with community partners, and to hold officials accountable. Together, we can build a city that stands as a beacon for fairness, opportunity, and dignity for all. And we will continue to fight — because that’s what labor has always done, and it’s what San Francisco needs now more than ever.