Teachers Unions Warn Of Strikes If Schools Reopen Unsafely

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Leaders of Illinois' teachers unions warned of strikes and legal action if school districts fail to meet coronavirus safety measures while providing in-person instruction.

In a joint statement, the presidents of the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers called for the school year to begin with remote learning at any school that lacks a practical safety plan.

The two unions represent more than 238,000 public and private school workers, whose schools teach more than 2.5 million Illinois students, from elementary to post-secondary levels.

"We believe that some types of in-person instruction can be achieved with health and safety mitigation in any individual community, but absent a practical safety plan that includes a clear line of responsibility and enforcement, we call for the 2020-21 school year to begin with remote learning," said IEA President Kathi Griffin and IFT President Dan Montgomery.

The union leaders said they were working to make sure any district in the state aiming to offer in-person instruction is prepared to follow pandemic-related public health precautions outlined by governments and medical professionals.

"If those measures are not met, we will do everything we can to protect our students and those who care for them — teachers and professors, bus drivers, classroom aides, secretaries, building janitors and everyone in between," they said, warning that the weight of both unions could be brought to bear. "No avenue or action is off the table — the courts, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board — nothing, including health and safety strikes.'"

Wednesday's joint statement follows similar remarks Tuesday from Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers.

"If authorities don't protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve, as our executive council voted last week, nothing is off the table — not advocacy or protests, negotiations, grievances or lawsuits, or, if necessary and authorized by a local union, as a last resort, safety strikes," Weingarten said at the national union's annual convention.

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Griffin and Montgomery said Illinois unions will take action where plans for a return to classrooms are unsafe.

"Our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions," they said. "Unions were founded on workplace safety. The COVID-19 pandemic brings us back to our roots. This is the power of belonging to a union — to be able to collectively stand to protect those who need it — employees, students and their families. We especially need to protect those students who live in communities where health care is lacking, non-existent or unaffordable. We are in this together and we are in this to keep everyone healthy, safe and learning."

Since Illinois schools were ordered to close their doors in March, educators have met a variety of new challenges, they said, while attempting to provide emotional support and a sense of normalcy for their students.

"We miss them. We want to see them more than anything, but we want to do it safely," they said. "For districts who have worked cooperatively with local union leadership, with the community and have successfully abided by all safety measures outlined in official guidance or made the decision to begin the academic year remotely, we commend and thank you."