California has seen a coordinated wave of teacher strikes and strike threats as unions push for higher pay. In the past few months, teachers have walked out in places like San Francisco and West Contra Costa. Others have voted to strike or held rallies. Leaders at the California Teachers Association say districts have aligned contract deadlines to build pressure and win public attention. Districts say money is tight. Enrollment is down and pandemic relief funds have ended. Experts warn raises could trigger cuts to programs or layoffs. With the strike settled in San Francisco, parents there worry about what cuts might follow.

Connor Haught is juggling work and child care as San Francisco faces a teachers strike with no end in sight. The strike has left nearly 50,000 students out of school. On Wednesday, the San Francisco Unified School District's 120 schools remained closed for a third day. About 6,000 teachers are striking over wages, health benefits, and resources for special needs students. Parents like Haught are scrambling to plan activities for their children. Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year, with teachers demanding better pay and health care. Talks are expected to continue Wednesday.