Nearly 600 employees will be laid off by United Airlines for not vaccinating against COVID-19

The US company United Airlines announced on Tuesday that it is preparing to lay off 593 people who have not provided proof of vaccination, after asking its employees in early August to get vaccinated against COVID-19, AFP reported, quoted by Agerpres.

In the case of the 593 employees who have not provided proof of vaccination, the company will initiate a dismissal process in accordance with a negotiated procedure with the unions.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision, but ensuring the safety of our team has always been our top priority,” the company’s CEO Scott Kirby and director of public affairs Brett Hart said in a public message.

“We have requested vaccination for all United Airlines employees in the United States for one simple reason: to ensure the safety of our employees. And the truth is that everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated and asking for vaccination works,” the two United Airlines bosses said.

United Airlines had originally planned to take unpaid leave from October 2 to employees who were granted exemptions.

But because a judicial proceeding initiated by employees who have been denied exemption is underway, they remain with the company until October 15 for the time being, pending a decision.

Of the company’s approximately 67,000 employees, less than 3%, or about 2,000, applied for a medical or religious exemption. Of the rest of the employees, over 99% chose to get vaccinated.

PHOTO: Hepta