The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts announced this week it is joining the much larger Massachusetts Teachers Association in urging its local affiliates to push their districts to begin the school year with instruction at home – at least for the first few weeks.
The move puts the statewide unions at odds with Governor Charlie Baker. Baker has been urging school districts to educate as many children as possible inside classrooms in the fall. Many teachers represented by these two unions are apparently favoring remote learning until school districts can meet the criteria necessary to maintain hygienic safety and social distancing that protects students, teachers, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers.
The union is also calling for building improvements and providing nurses with safe work spaces.
The Editor