Massachusetts State Police union says nearly 300 troopers still unvaccinated as state COVID mandate takes effect
Nearly 300 Massachusetts state troopers remain unvaccinated against coronavirus one day after Gov. Charlie Baker’s new mandate for more than 42,000 state workers took effect, union officials said.
“Troopers either were vaccinated, resigned or sought medical and or religious exemptions. The administration, however, remains either unwilling to respond to exemptions or unable to decide on what accommodations will be made. Regardless, it is clear they have otherwise strung along the very men and women who sacrifice daily to protect the commonwealth,” Sgt. Michael Cherven, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts said.
Speaking to reporters in front of the State House on Monday morning, Cherven said at least 85% of troopers — including himself — are vaccinated. But 299 police have “looming questions” about their employment status as the Baker administration drags its feet on exemption decisions.
“The danger to our staffing and to our already overburdened workforce is significant,” he said, noting State Police are already 600 uniformed members below a “safe and manageable level.”
The administration’s vaccine policy involves “progressive discipline,” according to an online post, starting with a five-day, unpaid suspension for all noncompliant workers. Continued noncompliance for managers “will then result in termination of employment,” while bargaining unit members will first move on to a 10-day suspension.
The union representing the state’s corrections officers last week said roughly 1,400 members could face disciplinary action for noncompliance with the mandate, prompting the Baker administration to activate members of the state National Guard to step up. So far, Baker’s office said personnel have not been needed.
The administration said it “does not anticipate any significant staffing shortages in the immediate future,” in a statement provided to the Herald.
More than 90% of State Police staff are in compliance with the COVID vaccine mandate, Baker’s office said.
Of the 42,518 executive-branch employees, 95% are in compliance with the vaccine mandate, according to the governor’s office. Roughly The Baker administration has yet to receive proof of vaccination status or exemption requests from 1,571 employees — less than 4% of employees.
Both the State Police union and the union representing the state’s corrections officers filed injunctions in state and federal courts, respectively, in an attempt to block the vaccine mandate. Both were shot down.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3aR6GeS
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