United Airlines is the first major US airline that will require its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
An executive stated that it does not require COVID-19 vaccination proof for passengers because that decision should come from the government.
United Airline COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
United Airlines followed Facebook's decision to have all employees get the COVID-19 vaccination.
The US airline stated that it would give all US-based employees until October to get fully vaccinated. The company added that it might change the deadline if a vaccine gets full federal approval.
Any employee who refuses to show their proof of vaccination will be fired unless they can provide evidence of medical and religious reasons for not getting the vaccine.
A spokesperson for United Airlines said that the company would investigate employees who will cite health or religious reasons to get exempted. Those who are exempted from getting the vaccine will be asked to wear masks at all times.
The unions of United Airlines: the Air Line Pilots Association, the Association of Flight Attendants, and Teamsters, all issued a statement on Aug. 6 that suggested that they have accepted the mandate, according to Business Insider.
The three unions represent 6,600 airline mechanics. The pilots' union stated that more than 90% of its members agreed to the mandate, while the flight attendants' union said 80% accepted it.
The flight attendants union released a notice to its members saying that COVID-19 vaccination is the best defense against the virus. There has been an increase in the number of positive cases, and the majority of the flight attendants that were infected were not vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the statement from the pilots' union was more cautious, saying it believes that the vaccination mandate warrants further negotiations to ensure the safety, welfare, and rights of the employees are maintained.
The unions also stated that if the mandate were to be challenged in court, they believe that the court would decide that it is lawful.
As for Teamsters, the union stated that employers have the right to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations. The union will defend the rights of employees who can't get vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons, according to The Wall Street Journal.
For those who would refuse vaccination and face termination, the union assured employees that they would seek separation packages for them.
Protecting the Welfare of the Employees
United Airlines stated that they decided to place the deadline in October and speed things up because they want to protect the workforce and the customers, according to CBS News.
The company pointed out the CDC's statistics showing that those who have had one of the vaccine shots are less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 or die from it than those who are not vaccinated.
After Apple announced it would give paid vacation leaves to employees who will get the COVID-19 vaccination, the airline said it is also offering additional pay for those who can show their proof of vaccination early.
Pilots and flight attendants who already agreed to an incentive in exchange of getting vaccinated will not qualify.
As of June 30, United Airlines had 80,000 employees, and unions represent 85%.
After the mass layoffs during the pandemic's peak last year, the airline has been hiring this year to meet the increase in leisure travel, and they hope that the trend would continue.
Related Article: Amazon Faces COVID-19 Dilemma As it Mulls Requiring Employees To Get Vaccinated
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Written by Sophie Webster
