The CPS and the union will continue negotiations on Sunday, according to the union, which said “the action of its members is making some progress” in the negotiations.
“Now we agree on much more than we disagree, but our discussions continue, and more time is needed to reach a resolution,” the school district said in its statement.
Last week, the CPS warned that the decision to stay out of schools would be an “illegal” strike, CNN reported.
Educators will continue to work remotely and “if we are blocked by the mayor and the CPS, the choice to strike is theirs, not ours,” the union said on Sunday.
Chicago elementary and high school students are still due to return to classrooms on February 1, according to CPS.
CPS said students in more than 130 private and parish schools and more than 2,000 early learning centers have been attending classes safely since the fall, and the district must do the same for its students.
“We have seen grades, attendance and enrollment drop significantly for many of our students in the past few months, and the impact has been felt most by our black and Latino students,” said the statement.
The union statement emphasized that its members must remain united to ensure the safety of teachers and students.
“Remember that we are not negotiating class sizes, benefits or personnel; we are negotiating a minimal risk of COVID-19 infection and a minimal risk of death,” the statement said.
Illinois and Chicago officials announced last week that teachers and school staff will be among those eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in phase 1b of the launch, which is expected to start on Monday, CNN reported.
CTU continues to push for a later start date for face-to-face teaching or a “gradual start” approach to returning to schools. “Vaccination must be linked to staff,” said the CTU statement.