San Francisco, California — A court clerks strike began Thursday at the San Francisco Superior Court, with employees asserting that court management has violated labor laws, according to a statement from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021. The union, representing approximately 200 clerks, cited issues with understaffing and inadequate training as catalysts for the strike.
The clerks, who manage cases across criminal, civil, and juvenile divisions, allege that insufficient staffing has led to dismissing over 70 misdemeanor cases and caused delays impacting legal proceedings. SEIU Local 1021 claims that court management has failed to address these concerns despite the union’s attempts to negotiate.
The strike coincides with the high-profile trial of Nima Momeni, who is accused of the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee. Momeni’s trial was postponed due to previously scheduled court closures and will now resume Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Union vice president and courtroom clerk Benjamin Thompson emphasized assigning trained staff to each courtroom. He noted that court clerks cannot simply be substituted between roles without adequate preparation, as doing so can lead to significant procedural delays that impact both defendants and victims.
In response, Court Executive Officer Brandon Riley confirmed that the San Francisco Superior Court would remain open for essential and emergency services, with management staff covering critical tasks.