This Airline CEO Wants Covid Vaccines to be Mandatory for His Employees

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is calling for Covid-19 vaccines to be mandatory for the airline’s employees and is encouraging that other companies do the same thing.

Kirby wants to mandate the Covid-19 vaccines for the company’s more than 60,000 employees and that other companies should adopt a similar stance.

With airline workers being considered essential employees, they are likely to receive vaccines before many in the general population.

“The worst thing that I believe I will ever do in my career is the letters that I have written to the surviving family members of coworkers that we have lost to the coronavirus,” CEO Scott Kirby said at an employee town hall recently.
According to the transcript of which was reviewed by CNBC, Kirby went on to say,

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

United had more than 60,000 active U.S. employees at the end of 2020. Recall notices had been sent to some 17,000 other workers whose jobs were cut last year.

“I don’t think United will get away with and can realistically be the only company that requires vaccines and makes them mandatory,” said Kirby. “We need some others. We need some others to show leadership. Particularly in the healthcare industry.”

In the staff note, the CEO said the airline is working with government officials and health-care providers to set up vaccine distribution centers at some of its big hubs.

“It’s certainly a sensitive topic all the way around,” said Michael Klemm, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 141 in an e-mail to CNBC.

The association represents fleet and passenger service workers at United.
“We’ve received some frustration from members who don’t want to take the vaccine as well as concern from members who don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t take it.”

Klemm said the union members can file a grievance for any disciplinary action that results from their refusal to be vaccinated. He added that If they object to being inoculated because of a religious belief or disability they can file complaints with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.