Texas Airlines Defying Biden: "No Firing of Unvaccinated Employees"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Texas, which issued an administrative order banning the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all organizations including companies, is now expected to clash with the Joe Biden administration over disadvantages for the unvaccinated.

According to the U.S. economic media CNBC on the 21st (local time), Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, headquartered in Texas, recently announced that they will not fire employees who have not been vaccinated.

Southwest Airlines stated in an internal notice last week, "We do not plan to place employees who have not been vaccinated by the deadline on unpaid leave." This reverses the previous announcement that all employees must complete vaccination by December 8 to continue working at the company.

The Biden administration effectively mandated vaccination last month on the 9th for federal employees, private company workers with over 100 employees, and healthcare workers. In particular, major airlines and other federal government contractors must complete vaccination mandates by December 8 according to the administrative order.

Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, said in an interview with CNBC, "We are requesting religious or medical grounds from employees who do not get vaccinated," adding, "If the reasons are valid, no one will be fired."

Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines, also stated, "The majority of employees have been vaccinated, and the small number of unvaccinated employees mostly have religious or medical reasons," and "Employees who are not vaccinated will continue to work with us."

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas and a potential Republican presidential candidate, clashed again with the Biden administration over the vaccination mandate after issuing an order opposing mask mandates.

AP News reported, "Vaccination mandates have emerged as a new contentious issue between Republicans and Democrats," and "Over 100 bills restricting vaccination mandates are pending in state legislatures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.