By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) – Chicago Public Schools was the third largest U.S. educational district. On Thursday, teachers staged a walkout demanding stricter COVID-19 protections. However, city officials insist that schools remain safe.

After the union of teachers voted to reinstate online instruction, the union also demanded more stringent safety protocols. This was in response to rapid spread and transmission of Omicron variants, which caused the halt in negotiations for around 340,000 students.

Chicago Teachers Union asked its 27,000 members not to go to school and to work from home until Jan. 18 if the coronavirus spike does not subside or if the union and the district agree on new learning protocols.

Following 73% support from rank-and file union members for working remotely beginning Wednesday, the school district declared that classes would be cancelled while negotiations between both sides continue to resolve their impasse.

On Thursday instruction was cancelled again. However, the district stated that some classrooms could reopen on a school by school basis on Friday depending on how many staff are available. According to the district one in ten teachers turned up at work on Wednesday while one in eight showed up on Thursday, despite the ongoing dispute.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot of the District has called the protest an illegal stoppage in work and teachers will see their salaries cut. According to the union, the school district and mayor have been accused of “locking out” teachers. They did this by freezing online instructional platforms. It prevented remote learning from taking place while the conflict was still raging.

Pedro Martinez, District Chief Executive Officer, stated that the state does not permit remote learning in the district school system.

Mayor, city officials, and public health commissioner of the city claim that schools are safe. They also contend that the risks have been reduced to acceptable levels through masking, social ditancing and improved ventilation.

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, stated Wednesday and Thursday that the White House would support the district. She said it will continue to advocate for open public schools, even in Chicago.

Union members argue that any condition for returning to schools during pandemics should be determined through collective bargaining, and that existing safeguards are inadequate.

Teachers were particularly critical of the district’s policy that only students with parents who register for screening programs are tested. They should have made testing compulsory for every student, except for students who fulfill narrow criteria.

Union members cited data that showed vaccination rates were particularly low in minority students. District counters that remote education has been fraught and “ends up hurting students of color most.”

On Wednesday, the two sides exchanged complaints about unfair labor practices.

The Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday evening that approximately 9000 district students were and 2300 staff members were currently in isolation. They had either been tested for COVID-19, or they came into contact with one.

Omicron-driven COVID-19 infection and subsequent hospitalizations have hampered plans for public schools across the country to receive students returning from winter vacation.

According to Burbio’s online education monitoring service, it has been reported that the coronavirus epidemic caused the suspension of learning in person at 5200 schools in the United States during the week starting Jan. 2nd. The disruptions were mainly concentrated in the mid-Atlantic and Midwest states.

School closings are due to staff shortages, and there is renewed concern about the COVID-19 contagion.