San Francisco Teachers Union Files Complaint Over Payroll Issues

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is facing significant backlash from its teachers union due to ongoing issues with its newly implemented payroll software. This system, which replaced a previously malfunctioning version that cost the district an estimated $34 million, has resulted in incorrect paychecks for at least one hundred teachers over recent months. In response, the United Educators of San Francisco filed a state labor complaint on October 23, 2023.

District officials acknowledged the challenges associated with the rollout of new software. They emphasized that such transitions often encounter initial difficulties but assured staff that resources were available to address these concerns. Nevertheless, union leaders highlighted persistent problems that have occurred across two payroll cycles, prompting them to send a cease-and-desist letter to district officials on October 20, 2023. The letter outlined several grievances, including incorrect deductions for union dues, missing vacation pay, and inaccuracies in substitute pay during summer school.

Beatrice Montenegro, the union’s senior staff representative, expressed frustration in the letter, stating, “The District had well over a year, with several high-level staff assigned to lead the migration, to now hear that no one got trained, no one understands the system and that the system cannot actually do the things we need it to do.” This sentiment reflects a growing discontent among teachers who rely on timely and accurate payments.

In contrast, district officials did not directly address the specific complaints raised by the union. Phil Kim, the school board president, noted that issues are common with new software implementations. He stated, “Implementation of any new software will have its challenges, but I’m encouraged to hear that over 97 percent of the paychecks issued as of today have been accurate. We owe it to all of our staff to ensure their pay is whole and on time.”

The payroll system, which launched on July 1, 2023, was designed to rectify issues stemming from the previous system, EMPower. This earlier software had plagued the district with complications regarding pay errors, health benefits, and retirement contributions, causing financial strain for many employees. In one notable instance, a principal had to write a personal check for $4,500 to assist a teacher in covering rent while awaiting her paycheck.

The SFUSD’s initial contract for EMPower was $9.5 million, but costs escalated to $35 million before the system was ultimately discarded last month. In light of the continuous payroll issues, district officials declared a state of emergency in November 2022, establishing a 60-person command center to address the multitude of complaints.

The new payroll system, named Frontline, carries a price tag of $20 million, with an additional $2 million allocated annually for ongoing expenses. Since its launch, the district has provided regular updates on the system’s status, admitting to problems such as incorrect leave balances and tax calculations. Training opportunities for staff have also been made available to facilitate the transition.

As the situation unfolds, the teachers union remains vigilant in advocating for its members, insisting that the district promptly resolves the pressing payroll issues to maintain confidence among educators. The ongoing challenges highlight the critical nature of effective payroll systems in ensuring the financial well-being of school staff and the overall functioning of educational institutions.