We Are San Francisco

City Unions Ratified Contracts as Nurses Said No

Two major unions representing 17,000 workers accepted a deal, but city nurses rejected the offer.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Unions

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Major San Francisco city unions ratified a new contract extension through 2029, though city nurses rejected the offer, citing workplace safety concerns. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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City workers in two major unions have voted to ratify an early contract extension that promises a 12% raise and no layoffs through 2029. However, the bargaining unit for city nurses broke from the pack to reject the same agreement.

Why it matters

The deal aims to provide economic stability and job security for 24,000 city employees as budget uncertainties persist. For residents, the divide between unions highlights ongoing tensions over workplace safety and staffing stability following a fatal stabbing of a social worker at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

The ratified deal grants a 12% pay increase from 2027 to 2031, trailing the 14% raises secured by police and firefighters in March. It remains unclear how future negotiations will progress for the remaining unsigned city bargaining units.

The players

SEIU 1021

One of the two largest municipal unions representing city workers.

IFPTE Local 21

A major municipal union representing a significant portion of the city workforce.

Lurie administration

The current mayoral executive office managing municipal labor negotiations.

The details

The Lurie administration presented the contract package to labor leaders in August, offering no-layoff guarantees through June 30, 2029. While SEIU 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 approved the terms, nurses cited specific concerns regarding the length of layoff protections and workplace safety. Other city units, such as transit and trades, are still reviewing the proposal.

Timeline

  1. December 2025: A social worker was killed at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

  2. March 2026: Police and firefighters secured 14% raises.

  3. August 2026: The city proposed the contract offer to the labor council.

  4. September 2026: Unions ratified or rejected the contract terms.

  5. June 30, 2029: The current no-layoff protection period expires.

Across the Bay

This agreement follows the precedent set by the March 2026 contract for police and firefighters, which provided a 14% raise for public safety personnel. It marks a departure from that unified trend as nurses prioritize workplace safety and layoff protections over the 12% raise offered to other units.

Residents should watch for potential impacts on city services as outstanding bargaining units finalize their agreements. Continued negotiations for nurses and other units could influence staffing availability at public facilities in the coming months.

The takeaway

While most of the municipal workforce has locked in long-term pay increases, the rejection by nurses keeps a significant labor dispute active within city healthcare facilities. Residents should track if upcoming negotiations for transit and construction workers align with the current 12% raise model.

Further reading

For more updates on local labor agreements, visit San Francisco Unions.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The San Francisco Standard.

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Should municipal unions in your area accept early contract deals to ensure local economic stability?