Union boss Randi Weingarten fought in-person learning for months, keeps repeating claim she wanted schools to reopen

The president of the American Federation of Teachers is continuing to claim she advocated for schools to reopen during the pandemic, despite evidence to the contrary.

“We’ve always advocated for safe reopening of schools,” Randi Weingarten posted to X last week. “Our role in @CDCgov guidance was one of many voices. Let’s focus on #RealSolutionsForKids and communities, not cynical politics.”

Despite her claim, Weingarten on several occasions recommended schools remain closed to in-person learning. 

For example, in April 2020, AFT released “A Plan to Reopen America’s Schools and Communities,” which prioritized distance learning and concluded that in-person learning could result in death.  

“A premature return to full commercial activity risks a second surge of infections and second lockdown as is happening in Singapore right now,” the document claims.  
“Even once public health officials deem it safe to reopen, doing so without the necessary precautions could be deadly.” 

Then in July 2020, Weingarten doubled down on the closure policy, even as the CDC began emphasizing the importance of reopening schools. 

“The CDC may have changed its tone to accommodate President Trump’s whims, but the details of its guidance remain the same,” Weingarten said in a press release. “Schools cannot reopen safely and equitably until we have effectively contained the virus spread and have a robust testing system, a plan for a future surge, and appropriate safety protocols in place, including physical distancing, proper ventilation, deep cleaning procedures and adequate personal protective equipment. 

“Of course, every educator, principal and superintendent in America will tell you that none of this can happen without resources.” 

The very next month, Weingarten was interviewed on Fox Business where she equated reopening with remote and hybrid instruction. 

“Remote and hybrid are really the only two ways you can reopen schools’ safety,” she claimed. 

Not only did Weingarten vocally advocate for schools to remain closed, but she was also “honored” to contribute to an lawsuit intended to “stop the reopening of public-school campuses” in Florida.  

In August 2020, the AFT backed a lawsuit by the Florida Education Association against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after he announced the reopening of all public schools.  

“They are our affiliate and we have been engaged in this lawsuit,” Weingarten said in an interview with C-Span’s Washington Journal. “Frankly what happened was that lawsuit was about letting the different jurisdictions in Florida make their own decision rather than force without safety standard or anything else, having five day a week full day schools, as if this was September 2019 without a pandemic. 

“I am honored to be a part of that lawsuit as is the NEA.”  

The AFT also backed lawsuits against New Mexico and Texas for similar reasons, according to The Hill.  

And when 25,000 Chicago public school teachers voted to stay home despite orders to return to in person learning in January 2021, Weingarten voiced her support for the teachers during an online interview.  

“Of course, we stand 100% behind the Chicago union,” Weingarten said.