Southwest AirlinesA proposal to allow unvaccinated employees, who had applied for and have not received a religious/medical exemption, on unpaid unpaid leaves has been dropped by the federal deadline of December.

Southwest Airlines American AirlinesIf they’re exempt from religious or medical reasons, are included among federal contractor carriers. Federal contractors have stricter rules than federal employees. expected for large companiesThis will enable regular Covid testing to be performed as an alternative to vaccination.

In recent days, executives from both airlines tried to calm employees regarding job security. Expect more questions from the airlines when they announce their quarterly results this Thursday morning. Pilots labor unionsThey have tried to stop the mandates from being implemented or sought alternative methods like regular testing.

Southwest’s Senior Vice President of Operations and Hospitality, Steve Goldberg, and Julie Weber (Vice President and Chief People Officer) wrote Friday to employees that they would not approve employee requests for exemptions by December 8. They also suggested that staff follow mask-and distancing guidelines while waiting to see if the request is reviewed.

The company will allow employees to apply for an exemption or finish their vaccines until Nov. 24, and they can do so up to that point. They will be paid while they process their request. The company said those rejected will still have the option to continue work “as long as we coordinate with them on the requirements (vaccines or valid accommodations).

“This change is from the previous communication. Initially, we communicated that these Employees would be put on unpaid leave and that is no longer the case,” they wrote in the note, which was reviewed by CNBC.

Southwest just weeks prior to the deadline, confirmed the policy update.

United AirlinesIt implemented its own vaccination mandate in August. That was one month before government rules were made public. Over 96% of the company’s employees are currently vaccinated. The unpaid leave was a cause of concern for employees, and Fort Worth’s federal judge has temporarily stopped the airline from moving forward with the plan.

American CEO Doug Parker met Thursday with leaders of labor unions to discuss exemptions from vaccines.

American Airlines management indicated that they, contrary to United’s approach, were looking into accommodations that would permit employees to keep working,” said the Association of Professional Flight Attendants in Monday’s note. They did not provide any details about what these accommodations could look like.

The Dallas Morning News reports that hundreds of Southwest Airlines employees and customers protested against the mandate to use vaccines outside Southwest Airlines headquarters in Dallas.

A spokeswoman for the airline said that the carrier was aware of the protest.

“Southwest accepts all viewpoints concerning the Covid-19 vaccine. We have always supported, will continue to support, employees’ right of expression, with open channels for communication to discuss issues or concerns,” she stated.

Southwest’s Goldberg and Weber advised employees that, if their request is denied for an exemption, they can apply again if the employee “has new or unusual circumstances it would love the Company to take into consideration.”

According to spokesmen, Southwest expects new hires to have the same vaccinations as American Airlines.

Delta Air LinesFederal contractors are also subject to government regulations, although it has not yet requested staff vaccinations. According to the carrier, about 500,000 people were vaccinated last week. 90% of its roughly 80,000 employees are vaccinatedIt is. Delta had announced in August that unvaccinated employees would be allowed to start work paying $200 more a monthFor November, company insurance