United Prepared to Fire 593 Employees Over Vaccination
Joe Cortez September 28, 2021
Frankfurt, Germany - July 17, 2014: United Airlines aircraft logo at an aircraft in Frankfurt. United Airlines is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
We know now the exact number of employees who may no longer be employed by United Airlines by October 2021. The carrier says up to 593 workers are at risk of losing their jobs, while around 2,000 could face unpaid leave for their requested exemptions.
United Airlines is preparing to dismiss numerous employees for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, while determining how many others will be able to stay with a religious or medical exemption. Bloomberg reports 593 workers may be fired after deciding not to get inoculated against the novel Coronavirus.
Firings Could Come after Long-Established Deadline
As airlines looked towards a runway to recovery, United debated being the first major carrier to require their employees get vaccinated. After discovering over 80 percent of their loyalty program members received a vaccine, leadership announced a requirement for all employees to get the shot within five weeks of when the FDA fully approved a COVID-19 vaccine.
With the deadline looming, the airline previously said nearly every employee reported getting fully inoculated against the virus. Executives now say 593 employees are at risk of losing their job for refusal to get vaccinated — and are making one last plea to those workers.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision but keeping our team safe has always been our first priority,” United chief executive Scott Kirby and president Brett Hart said in a memo viewed by Bloomberg. “The most effective way to keep our people safe, is to make sure they’re vaccinated.”
In addition, over 2,000 workers are requesting a medical or religious exemption to taking the vaccine. For those who refuse on those grounds, the airline says they could be placed on unpaid leave. The Chicago-based carrier is not providing any alternative options for those who do not get vaccinated, such as taking a mandatory weekly test or wearing face coverings at all times.
Employees Take United to Court Over Vaccine Mandate
While most employees are complying with the vaccine requirement, some are taking the carrier to court over the issue. Houston ABC affiliate KTRK-TV reports the airline is facing two lawsuits over the issue, with one complaint claiming the mandate is discriminatory against those requesting a religious or medical exemption. In a statement, United said they would defend their policy.
I have gotten my jabs because I need it to travel to some international destinations. I am for the vaccine, but that was a choice I made with my doctor. What about employees who have had the virus and now have immunity? Why are you vaccinated people so afraid of unvaxxed people? The vaccine works right? So, get your 2 jabs, and your unlimited amount of boosters that will be eventually needed, wear your 3 masks, and carry on with your life. If you are dumb enough to think that once the country reaches a 100% vaccination rate things will go back to normal think again, because it is not happening, how soon we forget how we were told get the jab and ditch the masks? You have given up that freedom. I have read now where some companies are requiring spouses of employees to also be vaccinated. Where does it stop?
This is just a discriminatory measure. I get my jabs only because I don't want to get sick after getting COVID-19, but this isn't relevant to carrying out the task on the aeroplane.
This is a slippery slope, while I think anyone who refuses the vaccine is making a mistake (I got fully vaccinated back in January and am currently trying to get the booster) I don’t support mandatory vaccinations. Why I recognize you can’t fix stupid, we must protect our liberties. My guess is United will loose in court and I also believe (hope) Biden’s mandate be found unconstitutional.
I hope United sticks to their guns. I will be supportive of them. I already fly United, but I will pick a carrier that requires vaccinations over one that doesn't. I wonder if their contractors have the same requirements...like SkyWest, etc. I might have to check.
Love all the supporters who think that businesses requiring vaccines against COVID is a good thing.... What if someday they started requiring other blood work and testing to be employed?