CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Members of the Chicago Teachers Union say Chicago Public Schools is denying their requests to continue working remotely even after in-person learning resumes.
On Friday morning, the Chicago Teachers Union convened a Zoom news conference with teachers and staff.
One of the teachers speaking said requests to continue working remotely to protect vulnerable relatives are not being granted.
Another teacher said documents attached in an email request for special accommodation were not opened at all.
Technology teacher Jose Frausto said he wants to continue teaching remotely for two reasons. He said his in-person teaching schedule is unworkable and he said he would like to protect the health of his wife, who is an essential worker.
Frausto said his requests have been denied, and he said he has proof CPS didn't even open documents he attached to emails requesting a special accommodation to work from home.
"They have looked at my documents for a total of zero times. I got another denial based on that, so I made sure to ask them, does this mean you looked at my documents? The response was 'yes.'
"They pretty much denied my request without ever looking at my doctor's opinions about why I should be staying remote to protect my family member," Frausto said.
He wished principals good luck in trying to execute the CPS reopening plan.
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A longtime teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she was denied a request to work remotely in order to protect her mother.
"After all these years of service, which I have given 27 years of my life as an employee, this just weighs on my heart," she said.
Teachers and staff were supposed to return to classroom last Monday to prepare for the start of in-person learning next week, but that is on hold while the CTU and CPS negotiate guidelines to return to school.