Skip to main content
Tags: wsj | editorial | schools | teachers unions | reopening

WSJ Blames Unions for Some Schools Not Reopening

empty classroom with chairs stacked on desks
(Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

By    |   Thursday, 03 September 2020 01:48 PM EDT

The Wall Street Journal says teachers unions are blocking the reopening of some schools throughout the nation.

The Journal made its comments in an editorial posted Wednesday night. The editorial was headlined: "Back to School: No Excuses."

"Democrats have been saying for weeks that parents don’t want to send their kids back to school," the newspaper said. "They must have figured out this is false, judging by Joe Biden’s speech Wednesday blaming President [Donald] Trump for the failure of some public schools to reopen."

But it says the teachers unions are responsible.

"The main obstacle to reopening schools isn’t the virus," said the editorial. "It’s the teachers’ unions. The virus has been under control in New York City for months, yet the teachers union this week threatened a strike unless classroom instruction was delayed. Mayor Bill de Blasio naturally surrendered, though state law prohibits teachers from striking.

"Mr. Biden and the unions say schools can’t safely reopen without hundreds of billions of more dollars from the feds. But states still haven’t spent much of the $13.5 billion that Congress appropriated in March for schools or $150 billion in general virus relief. And many states have worked to return to classrooms."

And it noted that teachers unions in Rhode Island are also objecting to schools reopening in their state. But Gov. Gina Raimondo, a Democrat, is warning that districts that don’t reopen for in-person learning might face lawsuits from parents or lose federal funds.

Jeffrey Rodack

Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

Politics
The Wall Street Journal says teachers unions are blocking the reopening of some schools throughout the nation. The Journal made its comments in an editorial posted Wednesday night. The editorial was headlined: "Back to School: No Excuses." "Democrats have...
wsj, editorial, schools, teachers unions, reopening
243
2020-48-03
Thursday, 03 September 2020 01:48 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved