More than 99% of employees complied with Covid-19 vaccine requirements, nearly 600 employees will be fired , Says United Airlines !

Memo sent to employees Tuesday, Chicago-based United Airlines will soon begin the process of terminating nearly 600 employees who refused the company’s coronavirus vaccine requirement.

At the same time, United says, an excess of 99% of United Airlines employees complied with the company’s COVID-19 vaccine policies or applied for a medical or religious exemption.

• The 99% figure includes around 3% of employees who sought a religious or medical exemption after threats of being fired.
• The memo was sent out by United CEO Scott Kirby and President Brett Hart to the employees on vaccination update.
• Eight United employees based at DFW International Airport sued the airline, as their exemption application was rejected.

Reportedly, to showcase the 100% vaccination compliance, United has taken the vaccination drive very seriously by mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for employees as the global pandemic does not end.

After the company imposed deadline for employees to submit proof of vaccination passed on Monday, United said that around 600 of its whopping 67,000 U.S. workers strength didn’t comply the requirement, and United airlines is planning to fire those employees as a next course of action.

“This is a historic achievement for our airline and our employees as well as for the customers and communities we serve,” United CEO Scott Kirby and president Brett Hart said in the memo. “Our rationale for requiring the vaccine for all United’s U.S.-based employees was simple — to keep our people safe — and the truth is this: Everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated, and vaccine requirements work.”

That 99% figure includes about 3% of employees who requested a medical or religious exemption to the vaccine requirement . In another development, Eight United airlines employees based at DFW International Airport sued the carrier last week after they said their religious exemption requests were denied.

• Vaccination exemption cases will be placed on unpaid leave , but United could not force that at the moment, due to the lawsuit in federal court.
• United is planning to work through exemption requests through Oct. 15 before any further action is taken.
• The company cited increasing numbers of COVID cases and deaths as reasons for their vaccine policy, calling the treatment the “most effective way to keep our people safe.”
• American and Southwest have offered incentives for employees to get vaccinated but aren’t requiring vaccines.
• McDonald’s, Citigroup, Facebook, Ford and Uber are also among the companies that require COVID vaccines for employees.

United’s announcement comes as other carriers like Southwest and  American, are in the process of encouraging their employees to get vaccinated and help curtail the Pandemic that has battered the air Travel sector and aviation industry.

However, Pilot unions for both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are projecting consequences to lawmakers and the travellers that a vaccine mandate may lead to “mass terminations” and labor shortages during the crucial holiday travel season.

U.S.A. needs all federal contractors be vaccinated and that companies with more than 100 employees have every worker vaccinated as well, or face a fine of up to $14,000. However, that proposed rule has been challenged in the federal court.

Spokesperson says, United plans to hire about 25,000 people over the next few years, and vaccination will be a condition of employment for all new hires.

You may like to read....