Chicago cancels classes after teachers union votes for remote learning

Chicago Public Schools canceled classes Wednesday after the city’s teachers union voted to work remotely amid an omicron variant-fueled surge in COVID-19 cases.

On Tuesday, members of the Chicago Teachers Union voted 73% against in-person learning in favor of “remote-work only job action,” which Mayor Lori Lightfoot and school leaders said would trigger a closure the following day and possibly longer.

“Due to the Chicago Teachers Union voting to not report to schools tomorrow, there will be no in-person or remote instruction for CPS students tomorrow, January 5th. All after school programs, athletic practices, and other events are also canceled,” the CPS Twitter account said after the union vote.

In a tweet thread announcing the final tally of the vote late Tuesday, the union said the action will only end if the surge in COVID-19 cases “substantially subsides” or the mayor’s team at CPS signs an agreement establishing conditions for return that are voted on and approved by the CTU House of Delegates….(Excerpts from the Washington Examiner)