NEW YORK (Reuters) – The pinnacle of the New York Metropolis firefighters union stated on Wednesday he had instructed unvaccinated members to maintain working, regardless that they really feel “insulted” by Mayor Invoice de Blasio’s order to indicate proof of a COVID-19 vaccination by Friday or be positioned on unpaid go away.

“I’ve informed my members that in the event that they select to stay unvaccinated, they have to nonetheless report for obligation,” Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Affiliation, informed a information convention.

“And if they’re informed they can not work, it is going to be the division and metropolis of New York that sends them dwelling. And it is going to be the division and the town of New York that has failed to guard the residents of New York,” Ansbro stated.

Final week, de Blasio gave metropolis staff a deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday to submit proof of vaccination towards COVID-19. Those that fail to indicate proof could possibly be despatched dwelling with out pay.

“There is no such thing as a better privilege than serving the folks of New York Metropolis, and that privilege comes with a duty to maintain your self and your group protected,” the Democratic mayor of the biggest U.S. metropolis stated in a press release asserting the mandate.

De Blasio couldn’t instantly be reached for touch upon Ansbro’s remarks.

The New York Metropolis Hearth Division has about 17,000 staff, together with emergency medical companies (EMS) workers, firefighters and civilian staff. About 68% of have been vaccinated, the division stated.

Ansbro stated metropolis officers are treating hearth division staff unfairly after they labored by means of a number of waves of the coronavirus pandemic. He argued that getting inoculated ought to be a private alternative.

“They really feel it’s an pointless intrusion they usually’re insulted” by the mandate, Ansbro stated of his members.

The union represents firefighters, hearth marshals and different hearth division members.