United Airlines chief executive says he wants to make COVID-19 vaccine compulsory

United Airlines chief executive says he wants to make COVID-19 vaccine compulsory

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Scott Kirby, CEO of United, says he is considering making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory among staff

Scott Kirby, CEO of United, says he is considering making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory among staff

Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, has announced that he is in favor of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for all employees and says other companies should follow it.

Kirby spoke at a town hall meeting on Thursday where he informed staff that he was strongly considering the move.

“The worst thing I ever believe in my career is the letters I wrote to the surviving relatives of colleagues we lost to the coronavirus,” he said, according to a transcript obtained by CNBC.

‘And so, for me, because I have confidence in the safety of the vaccine – and I realize that it’s controversial – I think the right thing to do is for United Airlines and other companies to need the vaccines and make them mandatory. . ‘

Legally, private U.S. businesses may require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but that is unlikely to be done because of the risks of legal and cultural setbacks, experts said.

A United Airlines person is seen during the flight service amid the coronavirus pandemic, when workers and passengers have to wear masks amid stricter aircraft cleaning requirements.

A United Airlines person is seen during the flight service amid the coronavirus pandemic, when workers and passengers have to wear masks amid stricter aircraft cleaning requirements.

CAN MY EMPLOYER MAKE ME THE SHOT?

U.S. employers can legally require their workers to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

However, it is likely that most will make the survey optional, labor lawyers say.

Although employers can be vaccinated, there are exceptions and variations, depending on the case and jurisdiction, which means that the imposition of a mandatory policy can present a difficult and time-consuming legal challenge for employers.

And legal experts also say that employers are likely to stay out of a mandate, because in many cases they can be liable if an employee reacts adversely.

Workers also have the right to object to compulsory vaccinations under anti-discrimination laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which allow employees to be released if it is contrary to a ‘sincere religion’.

Personal or ethical objections or personal positions against vaccination are not covered by this law.

Those with medical disabilities can also apply for exemption under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA.

If you use the ADA to request exemption from an employer’s mandate, an employee must prove that he has a medical condition that makes it unsafe to obtain a vaccine.

Meanwhile, Kirby’s remarks are the first time a major U.S. airline has planned to make the shot mandatory for staff.

Competitive airlines American and Southwest have so far only strongly encouraged employees to be vaccinated.

The latest poll from Pew Research indicates that 60 percent of Americans say they would definitely or probably get a coronavirus vaccine if it were available today.

That was a 51 percent increase, saying the same thing in September. However, about four out of ten still say they will definitely not get a vaccine.

A United spokesman confirmed in a statement on Friday that the company was “strongly considering” making vaccines mandatory, although that is not yet a policy.

“If others rally and are willing to start giving vaccines, you should probably expect United to be among the first wave of companies to do so,” Kirby told employees.

‘I do not think United will get away with and can realistically be the only company that needs vaccines and makes them compulsory.

“We need others. We need others to show leadership. Especially in the healthcare industry, ‘he added.

United Airlines was the largest US operator of international flights before the pandemic hampered global travel and effectively paralyzed the airline industry.

By the end of 2020, United had more than 60,000 active employees in the US. It has since issued recall notices to 17,000 workers who visited earlier in the year.

In the case of vaccines, employees could potentially object to mandatory conditions by requesting exemption under Title VII of the Civil Liberties Act or the Americans with Disabilities (ADA).

Companies are still in the early stages of accessing and distributing virus vaccines, but vaccination is seen as the key to safely resuming operations in busy warehouses, factory lines and on sales floors.

Southwest Airlines announced on Thursday that it will vaccinate its employees for free against COVID-19 once a vaccine has been widely made available in the United States, but has not yet revealed plans to make it mandatory.

The airline said its employees are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We have teams identifying third parties that can provide vaccination to our employees as soon as they can – probably in later stages of the vaccine implantation plan,” Southwest said in a statement.

The vaccine is paid for by the federal government and the administrative fees are covered for employees in Southwest under its health plans, the company said.

United is among U.S. airlines actively working with the new Biden government to reopen borders for people who test negative for COVID-19 before traveling or being vaccinated.

President Joe Biden has indicated that he intends to uphold a ban on most travelers from Europe and Brazil and require a quarantine for all international air passengers upon arrival in the US. and increases the wearing of mask.

A man receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine Friday at a Connecticut hospital. United Airlines chief executive said such shots should be mandatory among workers.

A man receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine Friday at a Connecticut hospital. United Airlines chief executive said such shots should be mandatory among workers.

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