NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The president of the United Federation of Teachers union on Wednesday released a school safety checklist he said needs to be met in order to ensure school safety as schools prep to reopen.
During a press conference held about the planned reopening of city schools, Michael Mulgrew, the president of the city's teachers' union explained the safety criteria listed in the checklist which includes requiring "every single person, adult and child" who enters one of the nearly 1,800 facilities to be tested for COVID or the antibodies.
The UFT's plan is tackling community spread, having a safety report card and a rigorous testing process, which Mulgrew makes clear is something that NYC Public Schools are now ready for right now.
Adding that they would be able to open responsibly under this plan.
"It is our judgment at this point that if you open schools September 10, it will be one of the biggest debacles in history," the UFT tweeted. "If we feel that a school is not safe, we are prepared to go to court and take action. If a court determines we are breaking the Taylor Law, so be it."
Mulrgew also said he's prepared to take legal action if he believes that a school doesn't meet the safety requirement and adds that he is also prepared to take job action and deal with the ramifications of the Taylor Law, which lays out deep penalties for strikes by public workers.
So far, over 100 union investigators have already started reviewing over 1,400 school buildings will check every school for health and safety measures that include a school nurse, a 6-foot separation between student desks, sufficient masks & other protective equipment, working ventilation systems to reduce the concentration of air-borne virus particles and an isolation/quarantine room for students who develop symptoms of infection.
Earlier this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio promised that schools will have what they need in order to protect students and staff from COVID-19 before it opens on Sept. 10th.
According to de Blasio, schools will receive a bulk supply of personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies before the year starts with additional supplies provided throughout the year as needed.