US Airlines Split Over Employer-Mandated Vaccine Policy

There is a divide among US airlines when it comes to having an employer-mandated vaccine policy. United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines announced their new vaccine policy this month. These airlines want their US employees vaccinated. Alaska Airlines will also most likely require vaccination once the Food and Drug Administration gives full approval of the vaccines.

However, there are airlines that chose not to impose a vaccine policy on their employees. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines are more lenient when it comes to their vaccine policy. Instead, these airlines are using incentives to encourage their employees to get the vaccine.

Delta Air Lines may not require vaccination on its current employees, but it’s a different story for new hires. Delta will only hire vaccinated individuals.

Labor unions for pilots released a statement saying that vaccination should be voluntary.  The Air Line Pilots Association representing United pilots said that “Employer-mandated vaccinations are an issue that must be bargained”. The union had a chance to negotiate a deal with United to give pilots extra two and a half days’ pay for getting vaccinated. On the other hand, the flight attendants union negotiated with United and received three extra days of vacation for next year.

Time for an Employer-Mandated Vaccine Policy?

The debate on whether or not to have an employer-mandated vaccine policy started when the US recorded an increase in delta cases. The delta variant has affected travel demand just when the industry is starting to recover.

Also, companies are now requiring COVID vaccination on their employees. Google, Washington Post, DoorDash, Walmart, and Walt Disney are just some of the companies that have announced vaccination requirements.

While airlines are still dealing with staffing shortages, they can’t afford to lose their workers. Allied Pilots Association, representing 15,000 American Airlines pilots, sounded the alarm regarding the current COVID sitaution. Allied Pilots Association announced on Thursday that COVID19 cases among pilots are at an “all-time high”. There were 36 cases during the first week of August. That’s twice as many compared to three weeks earlier.