Why America's Largest Teachers' Union Refuses to Support Vaccine Mandates

[Celerity]

Becky Pringle, the president of the National Education Association, won’t back a blanket vaccination requirement yet—but she thinks there are other ways to ensure that students and teachers are safe.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/08/becky-pringle-nea-vaccine-mandates/619836/



Nearly 90 percent of members of the National Education Association, America’s largest teachers’ union, self-reported in a recent survey that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. But that still leaves a lot of unvaccinated teachers and school support staff; the union has roughly 3 million members. Becky Pringle, the NEA’s president, has strongly encouraged vaccination, but she told me that regular testing should be available as an alternative to legal mandates: “We have to make sure that school districts work with educators to address accommodations that need to be made.” Right as the school year gets under way, the Delta variant is putting kids at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 than at any previous point in the pandemic, although they are still at significantly lower risk of serious disease than unvaccinated adults.

Yet hundreds of parents showed up to a school-board meeting in Tennessee’s Williamson County to debate a mask mandate for elementary-school students. And many students will never show up for school at all: Rates of homeschooling are on the rise, and kindergarten enrollment rates plummeted last year. Pringle took the helm at the NEA last September, when many teachers weren’t sure whether they would physically return to their classrooms at all. Right now, the union is advocating students’ return to classrooms for full-time, in-person instruction this fall, but Pringle refused to rule out calling for hybrid or remote learning if coronavirus cases continue to rise. Even with all the uncertainty ahead, Pringle is committed to her belief that America’s public-education system requires radical transformation to become more racially and socially equitable. That mission seemed lofty when she started a year ago. But after 18 months of the pandemic, the goal of creating decent, safe schools for all kids in America seems even more out of reach.

Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.





snip

[Ron Obvious]

1. I never trusted anyone who can't answer a simple yes or no question with yes or no.

Well, that's nothing new: When asked a direct question, respond with a general position statement. One of the reasons I've had little time for politics most of my life.

[Historic NY]

2. They need to find a better Union Leader...

I know one of those teachers, refused vaccination. He maybe looking for work .

[agingdem]

3. absolutely...

that union leader needs to be vaccine-mandated out of a job...

[hlthe2b]

4. Screw them. Deceptive: Two of the largest national Teacher's Unions DO support mandates

In fact, America's two largest teachers' unions are now backing vaccine mandates for staff as the school year draws near.

Support for mandates

The 3-million-member strong National Education Association has announced its outright support for vaccine mandates, while the AFT is encouraging representatives of its 1.7 million members to work with employers regarding policies that require either vaccination or regular COVID-19 testing.

"We initially thought the best way to do this was voluntarily, and if you look at it 90% of educators have gotten vaccinations in a volitional way," Weingarten told HealthDay Now. "But the circumstances have changed because of the Delta variant, and we know that vaccines are the single most important way for people to be safe." -snip--


https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2021/08/24/coronavirus-schools-teachers-doctors-vaccines-masks/2541629734206/

[Celerity]

6. no, your article is wrong, the NEA still leaves the option of testing in place in lieu of vaccine

here is their latest guidance

https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases

the latest press release is:

https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/nea-announces-support-educator-vaccine-and-testing

WASHINGTON - National Education Association President Becky Pringle issued the following statement today announcing NEA’s support for requirements that all educators receive a COVID-19 vaccination or submit to regular COVID-19 testing.

“No one wants to be back in the classroom with their students more than educators, and student safety is our number one priority. NEA has said from the beginning that we need to follow the science, and evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines, combined with other safety measures, are the most powerful weapon we have against the pandemic. Educators’ belief in the essential role vaccines play in the safety of our school communities is evidenced by the nearly 90 percent of NEA members who report that they are fully vaccinated.

“As we enter a new school year amidst a rapidly spreading Delta variant and lagging public vaccination rates, it is clear that the vaccination of those eligible is one of the most effective ways to keep schools safe, and they must be coupled with other proven mitigation strategies. Appropriate employee accommodations must be provided, and paid leave and readily available sites should be available for vaccinations. Employee input, including collective bargaining where applicable, is critical.

“We also support regular COVID-19 testing in lieu of vaccination for those not yet vaccinated or those for whom vaccination is not medically appropriate or effective. We believe that such vaccine requirements and accommodations are an appropriate, responsible, and necessary step to ensure the safety of our school communities and to protect our students.

“In order to ensure that students and educators are able to enjoy safe, uninterrupted, in-person education, educators must have a voice in how vaccine requirements are implemented. Educators must also continue to play an active role in developing other mitigation systems—including testing, tracing, masking, distancing, hand washing, ventilation, cleaning, and disinfection."

here is another example of a misleading headline (from Politico, quelle surprise)


Nation's largest teachers union backs vaccine mandates

The decision comes as school officials are battling with parents and governors over mask-wearing requirements and a surge of infections among children.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/12/teachers-union-aft-punts-on-vaccine-mandates-504164

The National Education Association endorsed Covid-19 vaccine requirements for school workers on Thursday, aligning itself with the Biden administration's push to get more Americans inoculated as the disease sends children to the hospital.

Teachers and other educators should have the option to submit to regular virus testing, NEA president Becky Pringle said, but she added her 3 million members should embrace vaccination, particularly as children return to classrooms for the new school year.

"We believe that such vaccine requirements and accommodations are an appropriate, responsible, and necessary step to ensure the safety of our school communities and to protect our students," Pringle said in a statement issued as the American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest teachers union, stopped short of fully endorsing vaccine requirements for its roughly 1.7 million members.

The differing perspectives shed light on a debate both unions are still grappling with internally as school officials, especially in the South, are battling with parents and governors over mask-wearing requirements and a troubling surge of infections among children.

[Scrivener7]

7. Your source is from before Pfizer was FDA approved. My union had the same stance until yesterday.

As soon as Pfizer got approval, they changed to supporting mandated vaccination. So, apparently, did the NEA. And I'm sure many more will follow.

And note: the unions can only support a mandate. The municipalities are the only ones who can mandate it.

[Celerity]

8. so, provide an official statement from the NEA stating a change in stance and the matter is resolved

[Scrivener7]

9. I was unaware that there was a "matter."

[FakeNoose]

5. Teaching must be unbearably difficult these days

Wearing a mask all day, trying to speak clearly to a classroom of kids while wearing a mask ... I can't even imagine it. Teachers need help, that's for sure, they need assistance, empathy, understanding, partners (rather than adversary) with parents and administration.

However the wearing of masks should be understood by all to be the only way to remain safe while cooped up in a room with (up to) 30 children. If teachers are unwilling to set that example, how are the children going to comply? They won't, it's as simple as that.

Everyone's safety should be foremost in the minds of administration and school boards who are setting the rules.