|
 Chicago Public Schools continued
its shutdown Jan. 10 after the Chicago Teachers Union walked out Jan. 5. One of
the main issues remaining between the two sides is how to handle COVID-19
testing for students. Gov. J.B. Pritzker reportedly offered access to SHIELD
tests, but the district declined, saying it felt swabbing is more appropriate
than saliva testing because saliva testing would require children not to eat,
drink or have anything in their mouths for an hour before the test is completed
to get a valid result.
Testing concerns stem from a nationwide shortage of COVID tests. The governor’s
solution to the dispute was offering 350,000 rapid SHIELD saliva tests, which
are more readily available.
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CPS announced late
Friday they won’t accept Pritzker’s offer, but said they’re going
with a bid from Thermo Fisher, who’ll provide the widely-used nasal
swab tests.
Last April, Pritzker approved
a new law that gave CTU more leverage in contract negotiations, and
more opportunities to go on strike.
Eight of the 10 largest school districts in the nation outlaw
teachers strikes, with Chicago and Los Angeles being exceptions.
In November, Illinoisians will vote on a referendum giving unions
like CTU the permanent right to strike over virtually anything that
even lawmakers couldn’t repeal. |
