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San Francisco Court Clerks Launch Indefinite Strike, Trials Paused as Courts Shift to Triage

Clerks cite chronic staffing shortfalls, inadequate training and rising workloads as drivers of mounting errors and delays.

Overview

  • Roughly 200 San Francisco Superior Court clerks began an open-ended walkout Thursday, with picket lines at the Hall of Justice and the Civic Center Courthouse.
  • Court leadership says constitutionally mandated and emergency matters will continue using managers to triage cases, while many clerk counters are closed and filings are being redirected.
  • A Superior Court email said trials were paused and juries dismissed until Monday, with numerous hearings consolidated or postponed.
  • The union demands proper training, reference materials and more staff, and both sides have filed unfair labor practice charges with the state PERB after talks stalled.
  • With no date set to resume negotiations, disruptions could persist, as rising case filings and prior funding cuts compound workload strain and the risk of missed deadlines.