United Airlines Holdings Inc. said as many as 593 employees face termination after refusing to get a coronavirus vaccination after the airline set a deadline this week.
United says 593 U.S. workers may be fired for refusing to get vaccine
About 2,000 United workers have requested an exemption on medical or religious grounds, the company said Tuesday, a day after the vaccination deadline went into effect for about 67,000 U.S.-based employees.
The airline plans to evaluate those requests by Oct.
15, the same day employees granted the exemption will face unpaid leave.
CEO Scott Kirby announced the vaccine policy on Aug. 6 as a safety measure to protect staff and customers.
U.S. President Joe Biden was scheduled to meet with Kirby on Wednesday in Chicago ahead of an event related to his push for U.S.
companies to require employee vaccinations.
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision, but keeping our team safe has always been our first priority,” Kirby and United President Brett Hart said in a release. “The most effective way to keep our people safe is to make sure they are vaccinated.”
Last week, six United employees sued the airline in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, alleging that the mandate violates laws providing religious and disability accommodations in the workplace.
The airline’s policy offers no alternative to wearing facemasks, periodic testing or social distancing, the workers said.
