United Airlines ready to fire workers for defying vaccine mandate

Chicago, Sept. 29 (BUS): United Airlines said Tuesday that nearly 600 employees in the United States are facing dismissal after failing to comply with the airline’s vaccination policy.

In early August, the company became the first US airline to order COVID-19 vaccinations for all local employees, requiring proof of vaccination by Monday.

The company said on Tuesday it would begin the process of firing 593 employees who decided not to get vaccinated, according to Reuters.

“This was a very difficult decision, but maintaining the safety of our team has always been our top priority,” CEO Scott Kirby and President Bret Hart told employees in a note.

Company officials said workers could save their jobs if they were vaccinated before formal termination meetings.

United has received requests for vaccine waivers from employees on religious and medical grounds. Those employees, United officials said, represent less than 3% of the 67,000 US workforce.

The company had plans to place employees who received religious waivers on temporary unpaid personal leave from October 2. However, those plans have been put on hold until October 15 due to a lawsuit challenging the policy.

Excluding those who sought an exemption, United said more than 99% of US-based employees have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

A spokesperson for the airline said the airline plans to hire about 25,000 people over the next few years, and vaccination will be a requirement of employment for all new employees.

The spokesperson said United will also require students at the pilot training school to get the vaccine.

The company rejected the notion that the vaccine requirement was deterring applicants for jobs at the air carrier.

United received 700 applications for 400 vacancies last month at the Denver job fair. Likewise, it has received more than 20,000 applications for nearly 2,000 vacant flight attendant positions, the spokesperson said.

HF