United Airlines will delay placing employees on unpaid leave who obtained an exemption to its company-wide COVID-19 vaccine mandate, blaming a new class action lawsuit.
United Airlines Delays Unpaid Leave For Unvaccinated Employees Who Obtained Exemption To COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
In a memo to employees shared with Live and Let’s Fly, United acknowledges the lawsuit then notes:
- No employee approved for accommodation will be placed on unpaid leave prior to October 15, 2021
- Employees whose request for accommodation was denied, withdrawn, or cancelled will still have until the date communicated to them individually to get vaccinated or October 15th, whichever is later
- Employees who sought no exemption must still have received at least one vaccine shot by today, September 27, 2021
The memo further notes:
Safety remains our highest priority. We will continue to vigorously defend our policy – vaccine requirements have been around for decades and have served to keep airline employees and customers safe. And with the pandemic continuing to kill more than 2,000 people every day, we remain convinced that our vaccine policy saves lives. As of today, excluding employees who have submitted exemptions, 97% of United’s U.S. employees are vaccinated.
Did United Airlines Blink?
Does this move signify United Airlines may be backtracking on its goal of ensuring all employees are vaccinated? While the move comes as a surprise to many (including unions), I expected this from the very beginning.
Vaccine mandates have been historically litigated (and upheld), but in this pandemic era the lawsuit will be a case of first impression. With an overwhelming majority of employees now vaccinated, United is taking a wait-and-see approach in a pragmatic move to avoid potential damages while still encouraging employees to get vaccinated.
While United sets a new October 15th limit, I predict that date will be extended as we approach it since the lawsuit will not be resolved before that point, even if United files a motion for summary judgment (dismissal).
My prediction remains that United will ultimately back down against the small number of employees who continue to hold out against the COVID-19 vaccine.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines will not immediately place unvaccinated employees granted a reasonable accommodation exemption on unpaid leave. For now, it has pushed that date back two weeks to October 15, 2021. In doing so, it has signaled at least some concern over the new class action lawsuit fighting the mandate for employees seeking religious exemptions.
> Read More: Lawsuit Against United Airlines On Vaccine Mandate Hinges On Two Key Issues
image: United Airlines
I hope UA is sued into oblivion for this policy.
It’s amazing that politicians are trying to segregate people in 2021. Unreal that the public loves this too.
Are you also a prison abolitionist? Do you think that criminals should roam freely? What about people with Ebola? Should they be mixed in with everyone? Or what about people who are contaminated with nuclear material? Just let them ride the subway? Anyone can remain unvaxxed just, it’s a human right that you have to work at United or any other company that has vaxx policies.
three cheers for UAL 97%! if only the country was that well vaccinated. UAL should keep charging ahead towards 98/99%. (100% is an impossible goal)
Remember, the 97% is not a total number, but 97% of employees who have not sought exemptions are vaccinated.
Welcome to HIV 2.0 with regard to the treatment of fellow humans that decide not to get vaccinated. This is akin to the way individuals were treated that had HIV back in the early days.
Yes, vaccine mandates have been around for quite some time in both the public and private sectors, however, there have always been carve-outs/ exceptions/waivers or whatever you want to call them for objectors. While I’m fully vaxxx’d, just got my 3rd Moderna “booster” Monday of last week, I find it unconscionable how people are being treated over this vaccine. The difference between this mandate and others is this will lead to an increase in societal dependence on the Gov’t dole eventually or increase the level of poverty among fellow humans. I don’t get it. It’s basically vaccinate or die. You’ll not be able to find work in any meaningful form because any company that fails to comply, in the healthcare industry, will likely be placed on an OIG list of companies barred from receiving Federal Funds. This will have a knock-on effect in that companies associated with such businesses/individuals will not be allowed to bill or charge Medicare for any reimbursement what-so-ever. That means the insurance companies will have to drop providers both hospital, group, private, and individual practices as they cannot be associated with Barred list providers due to their acceptance of Federal funds/programs. This eventually does work it’s way down the chain to the individual service/business sector. In the healthcare industry there aren’t any 100% “Comply or Die” mandates. MMR can be exempted with proof of antibodies or medical reason and those are much worse than this current bug. Hepatitis, Flu, Tdap, Varicella, & meningococcal can be waived even if one has a workplace exposure. I’m not certain of any others, By the way, the above are all CDC recommendations and not mandates. So, again, why are we treating fellow humans in this manner?
I’m sure there will be the usual snarky individuals, however, I’ll attribute this to their being butt sore due to a lack of turd fertilization opportunities as they’re all obviously following the 6 foot recommendation of physical social distance. Which then brings me back to wonder how can they be butt sore if they’re following the guidance?
I’m only vaxxx’d so I can travel globally.
Agree with you Vaxxx’d guy 100%. This is about control. Why else would this old fool in the WH issue an EO that forces all federal employees and federal employees to be vaxed or else face disciplinary action (meaning being sent FOB sidewalk)? It is about the Biden cadre’s losing the battle on the vaccine numbers and forcing as many as possible and demonizing those who resist. My body, his choice.
Yep beware of big bad Biden, he’s coming to get you. Also don’t forget to check your closet for the boogeyman before turning out the lights tonight.
Actually, the mandates are about trying to end the pandemic. The vast majority are on board. Maybe the anti social vaccine resistors can start their own society, I hear there’s a village in Guyana sitting unused.
The real questions are 1 how many filed for exemption?2 -How many of those exemptions were not approved overall? I’ve read over 2,000 but not sure how accurate that is. This is really interesting I’m thinking they are looking for paid leave…
Its over 2000 plus employees. Number could be more. The group that is heading this keeps growing each hour daily. As also other employees that did get at least one jab of the vax are now filing exemptions, medical and religious, and along with filing EEOC and TWC complaints, in regards to feeling coercion and harassment into taking the vaccine or face termination.
These pro disease maniacs should face termination. The end result of all this pushback is going to be the removal of all vaccine mandates. That means the return of all the diseases that have been crushed in the last century.
Anyone know of any iron lung manufacturers I can invest in?
Mandates broadly popular and increasing every week! Great to see.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/354983/majority-supports-biden-covid-vaccine-mandates.aspx
There is no vaccination mandate for airline employees unless they flying in and out of Africa, and we are not Africa ok! The vaccines are not keeping you immune at all, you can still get covid vaccinated, i know this to be true.
Put your finger in an outlet for a shock to reset your troubled minds!