Nov 25, 2021 — The Large Three automakers and the United Auto Employees say unionized staff is not going to be required to have COVID-19 vaccinations.
The assertion from the COVID-19 Joint Job Pressure of UAW, Ford, Common Motors, and Chrysler’s mum or dad firm, Stellantis, stated staff are inspired however not mandated to get vaccinated.
“Along with encouraging members to reveal their vaccination standing, the Job Pressure continues to induce all members, coworkers, and their households to get vaccinated and get booster vaccinations towards COVID-19, whereas understanding that there are private causes which will stop some members from being vaccinated, similar to well being points or non secular beliefs,” the statement stated.
Masking will nonetheless be required on worksites.
“Whereas it’s understood that masks will be uncomfortable, the unfold of the Delta variant and up to date information outlining the continued excessive price of transmission in some geographic areas proceed to be a severe well being menace,” the assertion stated.
The stance by the autoworkers and the auto corporations conflicts with the Biden administration, which desires corporations with greater than 100 workers to mandate vaccinations.
That coverage has been put on hold whereas it faces authorized challenges which are prone to attain the U.S. Supreme Courtroom.
The UAW has greater than 400,000 energetic members and 580,000 retired members within the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Stellantis final week ordered non-union, salaried staff within the U.S. to reveal vaccination standing by Dec. 4 and be absolutely vaccinated by Jan. 5, The Detroit News reported. Ford issued an identical mandate for “most” salaried staff. Common Motors has not instituted a mandate but on its salaried U.S. workforce.
All three auto corporations have mandated vaccines for autoworkers in Canada.
