Chicago Reaches Deal With Teachers to Resume In-person Classes After COVID-19 Standoff
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Following a week-long standoff between Chicago and its teachers' union, the two sides reached a deal to resume in-person learning for public schools.
Students will return to Chicago Public Schools Wednesday after teachers' union leaders approved a new COVID-19 safety plan. Classes had been canceled for four straight days amid concerns about surging COVID-19 cases and a lack of access to tests. Teachers attempted to move to online learning last week, but the city reportedly locked them out of the system. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had accused teachers of striking illegally and said "they abandoned kids and their families." Chicago Teachers Union president Jesse Sharkey called Lightfoot's opposition to remote learning "relentlessly stupid." The new deal still requires approval from the union’s full 25,000 members. Chicago is the country's third-largest school district.
Voices across the spectrum argued that the stand-off hurt students and families more than anything, and highlighted concerned parents who pushed for teachers to return to the classroom.
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From the Center
Chicago Teachers Union clears way for in-person classes to resume Wednesday in Chicago Public Schools after four days of cancellations over COVID-19 clashes
A proposal for Chicago Public Schools to resume in-person classes Wednesday has been approved by the Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates following a contentious weeklong standoff.
The delegates also voted Monday night to suspend the union’s work action that saw teachers refuse to give their lessons in person, prompting the cancellation of the last four school days. There will be no Tuesday classes though teachers will report to schools for planning.
In addition to a return to in-person teaching Wednesday, the plan the House of Delegates approved will set...
From the Left
Chicago Teachers Union leaders strike deal to resume in-person classes
Chicago Public Schools could resume in-person classes this week after Chicago Teachers Union leaders agreed to a new set of COVID-19 protocols. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday that teachers would return to campuses on Tuesday with in-person instruction restarting Wednesday.
The agreement still needs to be approved by the full union, but the Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates voted to suspend the online learning plan they launched last week as rank-and-file membership votes. The tentative agreement comes after four days of canceled classes.
Last week's attempt by CTU to swtich...
From the Right
Chicago schools set to resume in-person classes after one week off
Classes are set to resume Wednesday at Chicago schools as leaders of the city’s teachers union on Monday night approved a plan with the district over COVID-19 protections.
The two sides had been locked in a bitter fight that canceled classes for four days in the nation’s third-largest district.
Details weren’t immediately disclosed on the deal, which still requires approval from the union’s full 25,000 members.
“We know this has been very difficult for students and families,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at Monday night press conference. “No one wins when students are...
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