NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The United Federation of Teachers could vote to authorize a strike to delay in-person classes on Tuesday.
The executive board of the public school teachers’ union on Monday night voted to authorize further negotiations over reopening schools in New York City, but the board could end up voting to authorize a strike on Tuesday, the union said in a release.
The vote would happen at a meeting that is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
"We can't afford to send students and staff back into any buildings until we have done everything possible, including a rigorous virus testing program, to see that they are safe," UFT President Michael Mulgrew said in a statement.
"The members of the UFT know that public employee strikes are illegal, but we are determined to do what is necessary to protect our students and the families of New York City," he added.
The UFT on Aug. 19 called city officials to delay reopening schools “until all city schools met a checklist of safety standards, including adequate personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies, improved ventilation and a program of virus testing of adults and students,” the release said.
A total of 130 active and retired UFT members have died of complications related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to the release.