United Airlines must delay its vaccine mandate for workers seeking an exemption

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In this Oct. 14, 2020 file photo, United Airlines employees work at ticket counters in Terminal 1 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

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Nam Y. Huh/AP

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Unvaccinated United Airlines Employees To Be Put On Temporary Leave

Six employees filed a federal lawsuit over this policy arguing unpaid leave is not a reasonable accommodation, but rather an adverse employment action.

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman responded to that lawsuit Tuesday by ordering a temporary restraining order on United to hold off on removing any worker requesting those exemptions from the payroll. That’s just until he can hear arguments in the case at a later date.

Pittman’s temporary restraining order expires on Oct. 26.

United Airlines issued a statement, according to reports:

«Vaccine requirements work and nearly all of United’s U.S. employees have chosen to get a shot. For a number of our employees who were approved for an accommodation, we’re working to put options in place that reduce the risk to their health and safety, including new testing regimens, temporary job reassignments and masking protocols.»

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Getting a religious exemption to a vaccine mandate may not be easy. Here’s why

Fights continue over COVID-19 mandates

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People and teachers protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates outside the Manhattan Federal Court Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in New York.

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Eduardo Munoz Avarez/AP

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Los Angeles will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccine for indoor establishments

But L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he has no intention of carrying out the mandate.

The world of sports has also been impacted by a major star’s refusal to get vaccinated.

Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving won’t be allowed to practice or play in games, likely due to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for professional athletes. Irving has dodged several questions from reporters earlier this month about his vaccination status.

Pushback against these mandates is a global issue as well.

This weekend, Italy’s strict requirement for workers to show proof of a coronavirus vaccine pushed opponents of the policy to protest. Demonstrations turned violent as some marchers caused damage across Rome.

United Airlines has said, for the most part, its vaccine mandate has been a success. The company has said that more than 99% of its U.S.-based employees had met the company’s requirement to get vaccinated, or have applied for a religious or medical exemption.

• vaccine mandate
• United Airlines
• coronavirus