Vaccinations Voluntary for UAW Members

Nov 25, 2021 — The Big Three automakers and the United Vehicle Workers say unionized staff will not be needed to have COVID-19 vaccinations.

The statement from the COVID-19 Joint Process Force of UAW, Ford, Normal Motors, and Chrysler’s dad or mum business, Stellantis, mentioned personnel are inspired but not mandated to get vaccinated.

“In addition to encouraging members to disclose their vaccination standing, the Task Force carries on to urge all associates, coworkers, and their families to get vaccinated and get booster vaccinations in opposition to COVID-19, while comprehending that there are private reasons that could prevent some members from staying vaccinated, this kind of as health and fitness difficulties or religious beliefs,” the assertion mentioned.

Masking will nonetheless be required on worksites.

“While it is recognized that masks can be awkward, the unfold of the Delta variant and new info outlining the continued higher price of transmission in some geographic spots proceed to be a serious well being menace,” the assertion stated.
The stance by the autoworkers and the car corporations conflicts with the Biden administration, which wishes corporations with far more than 100 employees to mandate vaccinations.

That policy has been place on hold even though it faces lawful challenges that are most likely to attain the U.S. Supreme Court.

The UAW has additional than 400,000 lively members and 580,000 retired customers in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Stellantis very last 7 days purchased non-union, salaried employees in the U.S. to disclose vaccination status by Dec. 4 and be completely vaccinated by Jan. 5, The Detroit Information described. Ford issued a similar mandate for “most” salaried employees. Typical Motors has not instituted a mandate however on its salaried U.S. workforce.

All a few car corporations have mandated vaccines for autoworkers in Canada.