Employees need Covid vaccinations under federal rules
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Alaska Airlines launches a Boeing 737-910 (ER) aircraft from JFK Airport in Queens, New York on August 24, 2019, at 11:59 AM.
Bruce Bennett | Getty Images
American Airlines Alaska AirlinesAnd JetBlue AirwaysTheir employees were informed that they are required to be immunized against Covid-19 if they work for government contractors. This is according to new federal regulations.
President Joe BidenLast month’s announcement sweeping vaccine or regular testing requirementsPrivate companies employing more than 100 employees can help stop the spread and expansion of Covid.
He also required private companies to comply with vaccination regulations. His administration also issued more stringent requirements for federal contractors. They also include exemptions only for clergy or medical staff. Because they provide services such as the rescue flights to Afghanistan, and transport employees of the government, major airlines claim they are federal contractors. evacueesTo the U.S. in this summer
The Biden administration stated last week that federal contractors must be immunized by Dec. 8th. The approval process will be followed by all three airlines for religious and medical exemptions.
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker wrote that the mandated federal vaccine requires all American-based staff members as well as certain crew members to be vaccinated. The note was sent late Friday by Robert Isom and American Airlines president Robert Isom.
We are currently working out the specifics of federal regulations, but it is obvious that American Airlines will not allow team members to stay unvaccinated.
Travel to holiday destinations
JetBlue told staff that “regardless of working in the operation, a support center, or at home – will be required by the government to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to continue performing their role,” JetBlue’s CEO Robin Hayes and COO Joanna Geraghty said in an employee email, which was seen by CNBC, on Friday.
CNBC interviewed Geraghty, saying that while the majority of employees were vaccinated this week by Geraghty, it wasn’t clear how many.
JetBlue executive counseled staff to have their vaccinations before the hectic end-of-the-year holiday season.
According to them, “Our customers depend on us to get to them during the holidays. We need to be fully compliant with the mandate before this holiday peak begins and to help end the pandemic.”
Although they don’t require staff to be immunized, American, a Seattle-based company, JetBlue, and Fort Worth (Texas-based American) have encouraged them repeatedly. Alaska offers extra compensation to employees who show proof of their vaccinations. American offers $50 off for many employees who are vaccinated.
“Since our company does significant work for the federal government, we have determined that Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and McGee employees – all part of Alaska Air Group – do fall under this federal vaccine mandate, along with other major U.S. airlines,” Alaska said Thursday in a staff note. “This means all of our employees, including certain contractors and vendors, will be required to be fully vaccinated, or be approved for a reasonable accommodation such as medical conditions or religious beliefs that prevent them from being vaccinated.”
CNBC received a copy. CNBC saw a copy of this note. Although Alaska Airlines spokeswoman said that the “significant majority” (roughly 22,000) of their employees were vaccinated. She declined to disclose a percentage but noted that all staff members are uploading proof.
Alaska’s $200 bonus for employees to submit proof of complete vaccination was extended from October 15th to December 1st.
Airlines have a different approach to vaccines differedThey are, however, not required to issue mandates. Instead they use incentives such as extra pay and time off for their employees in order to win.
Some unions, such as the pilots who fly at American Airlines, have opposed mandatory vaccinations. Southwest AirlinesIt is. The carriers had both previously stated they expected new federal vaccine mandates to be applicable to them. Southwest did not comment on this article.
Last week, the Allied Pilots Association (which represents approximately 14,000 American pilots) wrote to Biden and other key legislators asking for alternative mandates such as routine Covid testing or anti-bodies testing. According to the union, some pilots in America were reluctant to be vaccinated due “to concerns about career-ending side effects”. They also warned that the mandate could cause labor shortages and disruptions for holiday travel.
American Airlines’ Friday note to employees was followed by APA telling its members that the union must be negotiated with the airline for the “implementation & effects of a compulsory vaccination requirement for our pilots.”
United is the mandate
United AirlinesIt imposed the most stringent mandate on any U.S carrier by requiring that its 67,000 staff be vaccinated before last Monday. Otherwise, they could face dismissal. The compliance rate was over 96% and at Thursday, 320 employees could be fired. That’s down from 593 in the previous year. the deadline passedThe Chicago-based carrier stated this week.
Delta Air LinesStarting in November, plans are to place a $200 per month surcharge on employees who have not been vaccinated. Delta announced that Covid testing is now being done weekly on unvaccinated employees.
Delta said that while the Administration is still being evaluated, it was proud to announce that its vaccination program has been implemented and 84% of the employees have been vaccinated. The Atlanta-based airline released a statement.
Delta is home to close to 80.000 employees.
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