Andrew Yang blamed a teachers union for the slow reopening of New York schools, Politico reported Thursday.
Yang, who is a leading mayoral candidate for New York City, said the United Federation of Teachers were to blame for during an interview with Politico.
“I will confess to being a parent that has been frustrated by how slow our schools have been to open, and I do believe that the UFT has been a significant reason why our schools have been slow to open,” he said, according to Politico.
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: New York City Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang speaks during a press conference at the National Action Network’s House of Justice to denounce the rise of attacks against Asian Americans on March 18, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
Michael Mulgrew, the president of UFT, brushed off Yang’s criticism while having previously blamed the de Blasio Administration for the problems associated with the reopening of schools, according to Politico.
“The UFT was the leading force in New York City public schools opening and opening safely, protecting students and staff,” he said in a statement according to Politico. “Mr. Yang needs to do his homework.”
The United Federation of Teachers is considering which candidate to endorse for the mayoral race and, according to Politico, “several people familiar with the union’s endorsement process” said UFT is hesitantly considering Yang while looking at all of the possible candidates.(RELATED:It Would Be ‘A Major Mistake’ To Change Distance Guidelines To Reopen Schools, Epidemiologist Says)
Though Yang is not the union’s first choice, the union thinks it would be foolish to dismiss him, according to Politico, because he is leading in the polls.
Teachers unions across the country have refused reopening plans. Untied Teachers Los Angeles, a Los Angeles teachers union, recently agreed to return to in-person learning by mid-April.