Chicago Teachers Union votes 73% to begin remote teaching starting tomorrow

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5. Accompanying news story

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/01/04/cps-cancels-classes-wednesday-as-teachers-refuse-to-work-in-schools-until-covid-cases-fall-sharply/

CHICAGO — Classes are canceled at Chicago Public Schools Wednesday after teachers voted to stop in-person instruction amid the city’s COVID-19 surge.

It’s unclear when classes will resume, remotely or in-person. Chicago Teachers Union members voted to refuse to work in-person until Jan. 18 or until the city’s positivity rate falls below 10 percent, a metric CPS set last year for shutting down schools, according to a source and the Sun-Times. Chicago’s positivity rate is at 23.6 percent, up from 13.6 percent the week prior as of Tuesday. Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said she does not expect rates to drop until at least mid-January.

The move to refuse to work in-person at schools was approved by 73 percent of voting teachers union members Tuesday night. Union officials did not provide a timeline when they announced the vote tally, saying instead the action would be in place until COVID-19 cases drop or they come to a reopening agreement with Mayor Lori Lightfoot.