CPS cuts salaries and access to remote teaching if educators refuse to teach in person. The normalcy provided to students by teachers during remote learning has disappeared as many teachers, deciding it isn’t safe to return to in-person instruction, were cut off from remote teaching

When they raised their concerns, Mayor Lightfoot refused to negotiate, despite the day before being the deadliest of the pandemic to date.

Over 30 Chicago aldermen signed a letter detailing changes needed before reopening. CPS responded, but opened schools anyway.

CTU has tried to prevent teachers from being forced to work where they don’t feel safe. However, CPS has ignored these efforts, cutting salaries of teachers who did not show up on the first day.

Union leaders are telling members to expect to strike mid-January. Thousands of members signed a letter pledging to protect teachers’ right to decline working in an unsafe environment.