CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Lightfoot late Friday
night blamed the Chicago Teachers Union for the continuing impasse with Chicago Public Schools over a reopening plan.
“Sadly, another day has passed and the CTU has not agreed to anything,” Lightfoot said.
The teachers union has directed members to stay home and do their jobs remotely, over safety concerns about the coronavirus. This could trigger a work action if CPS “locks” teachers out of virtual classrooms.
Lightfoot on Friday said CTU and CPS have come close on general agreements over a variety of issues, including safety precautions and ventilation systems, but she claimed union leadership has used stall tactics and won't put anything in writing.
The mayor said CPS will expect teachers to be in school buildings Monday for pre-K, special-needs and K-8 classes so that parents at least have the option of sending their children to do in-person learning.
Lightfoot stopped short of threatening to take action and said school officials would continue trying to negotiate with the union. The mayor dodged a question about whether a "lockout" or "strike" could occur, saying she wants to make a deal.
Union members have said they prefer to be vaccinated before returning to classrooms, but health officials say there is not enough supply of COVID-19 vaccine to cover all CPS teachers immediately. They insist schools are not super-spreading locations, if proper precautions are followed.
Lightfoot said her 12-year-old daughter has attended school in-person, which the mayor and her wife prefer over remote learning.
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