SCHOOL STRIKE AVERTED

November 16, 2005, 8:00 a.m.

Negotiators reached agreement at 4:00 a.m. this morning averting a planned strike of San Francisco schools.

The agreement followed a day of intense talks between Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Service Employees International Union Local 790 (SEIU).

The strike had been set to begin Thursday.

"It was really because of the mayor's input. They really wanted to get it done by now," reported Peter Ragone, mayoral press secretary.

Last night administration officials, including City Controller Ed Harrington, mayoral chief of staff Steve Kawa and education adviser Hydra Mendoza, met with school board members Jill Wynns and Norman Yee.

Board of Education President Eric Mar did not attend the City Hall meeting, but presided over the regular meeting with the remaining board members and Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.

Details of the contract have not been announced.

####