First, the governors and state boards of education make the decisions, not the unions. Call that defending, I don't care. But that's the fact. Now, are they influenced by the unions? Sure. Just like everything, politicians are influenced by lobbyists or unions or wealthy individuals. It's part of life/politics.
My kids' district was set to open up the first week of August, then the governor pushed it back to last week of August, then against to last week of September. But he's now said that he will not advise anymore postponements and will allow the local districts to determine startup day. My kids will not be in a hybrid system. They will go every day to school. From what I was told, about 40% of the district's parents signed their kids up for virtual, and 60% for in-person. The district board meeting last month released that data to the public when having to determine enrollment for "social distancing" in the classrooms and hallways and cafeteria.
Those teachers are now going to have to perform double duty: instruct during class time and the virtual stuff as well. The school board answered questions from the public and were asked what type of instruction would be allowed or not allowed for those signing up for virtual. The board said that it must reflect what it going on in the classroom in-person instruction, so no educational programs that you just slap on there.