Tens of thousands of New York City employees — including police, fire and sanitation workers — could face unpaid leave Monday as a contentious vaccine mandate goes into effect.
The consequences could be dramatic on the essential services the city depends on: Some 24,200 employees subject to the mandate hadn’t received a shot as of Saturday, and already firefighters are calling in sick in higher numbers and trash has been reported piling up on sidewalks.
Tensions are high, with Mayor Bill de Blasio saying he won’t back down and city workers protesting in front of his home at Gracie Mansion. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigiro on Saturday said that some firefighters were already engaged in a work slowdown.
“Irresponsible bogus sick leave by some of our members is creating a danger for New Yorkers and their fellow firefighters,” Nigirio said in a statement, without providing details. “They need to return to work or risk the consequences of their actions.”
Workers rushed for last-minute shots before Monday: Almost 10,000 workers got their first required doses between Thursday and Saturday.
The vaccination rate in the sanitation department jumped to 79% on Saturday from 67% on Thursday. The rate for the police department increased to 84%, while the fire department’s rate rose to 78%.
Still, the city is preparing for labor shortages.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said on Fox 5 New York on Friday that “thousands” of officers had submitted applications for “reasonable accommodations” instead of vaccination. Officers who did so before Wednesday would be allowed to work, but would undergo testing while their claims were judged, he said.
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