Democrat Governor candidates torched for sucking up to SF teachers

California’s top gubernatorial candidates have been torched for posed up visits to the picket line of San Francisco’s public schools strike that is heading towards a fifth day.

Firebrand Democrat Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell and Tom Steyer were blasted for their staged trips to the protests this week as they showed solidarity with the teachers’ union.

Around 50,000 students have been out of class since Monday when the United Educators of San Francisco shut down 120 schools across the region demanding a nine percent pay rise.

Thousands of teachers set up camp outside school buildings and City Hall, some holding signs reading “on strike for safe and stable schools” and “on strike for fully funded family healthcare.”

The move, which is costing the SFUSD between $7 million and $10 million a day – has been welcomed by the Democrats running for California governor, with Porter saying she was “proud” of the demonstrators.

Porter said: “As an educator and public school parent, I understand firsthand how investing in education is an investment in our future workforce and leaders of tomorrow.

“Every educator and school worker deserves to make ends meet, and as Governor I will boost funding for our schools.”

Swalwell said: “Teachers shouldn’t have to strike for fair pay or health care. I stand with the United Educators of San Francisco and with every Californian fighting for strong public schools.”

And Steyer added: “San Francisco’s teachers are striking for the first time in nearly 50 years. I joined them because we need fair pay and fair benefits for California’s working people.”

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But they were roundly slammed by Republicans and San Francisco residents who revealed the chaos it has brought to the city and the impact it is having on the children.

Republican candidate for governor Steve Hilton told the California Post the Democrats are only showing solidarity because they want the teacher unions’ endorsement.

He said: “That’s why they’re taking the side of the unions, against students and parents. This kind of corruption is why we have some of the worst school results in the country even though we spend nearly the most.

“We can’t go on like this. These unions and their Democrat puppets are stealing opportunity from California kids, especially Latino and Black students who the Democrats pretend to care about but have let down for years.

“As governor I will stand up to these cruel, destructive unions and make sure our schools do their job of actually educating the next generation.”

Native San Franciscans also pointed to the large salaries the teachers earn, and shot down claims they deserved a pay rise.

San Francisco tech worker Spencer said of Swalwell: “This guy can never be governor. Public schools are failing and now they’re striking.

“The exodus to private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling are growing. Test scores are plummeting. And his solution is to encourage the chaos.”

Investor Catherine Shiang also weigh in on Twitter, saying: “Over 3,000 teachers in San Francisco, with a population of 800,000 are paid $140,000+ for less than nine months of work.

“And with that, only 54% of our kids can read and 45% are proficient in BASIC math. If teachers want private sector rate pay, then let’s tie performance to compensation just like the private sector.”

She added: “These teachers are not the same as the ones we grew up with.” Another social media users wrote to Swalwell: “Basic healthcare?

“They already get premium healthcare plus one dependent and even after they retire! No one in the private sector gets that. Anything for votes, eh?”

And another added: “Why aren’t you siding with students and parents?”

The strike entered its fourth day on Thursday as working parents were forced to find urgent arrangements for their children while they are not in school.

Teachers want a nine percent pay rise over two years, while the district wallows in a $100 million deficit and is under state oversight due to financial failings.