Judge denies NYPD union’s bid to halt COVID vaccine mandate

CBS NEWS –

A Staten Island judge denied a police union’s request to temporarily halt the implementation of the city’s vaccine mandate that is set to take effect November 1.

The Police Benevolent Association, New York City’s largest police union, had argued in their request for a temporary restraining order on Monday that the policy does not make clear potential exceptions for medical or religious reasons, and does not give unvaccinated officers sufficient time to apply for such exemptions, as those appeals must have been submitted by Wednesday — one week after the mandate was announced. 

Additionally, they noted that the department’s “Vax or Test” program has been effective in ensuring public health while simultaneously providing privacy to individual medical decisions.

NYPD top cop urges COVID vaccinations before Friday deadline that could send quarter of force home without pay

NY Daily News –

The NYPD is doing everything in its power to convince cops to receive life-saving COVID vaccine shots as the city’s mandate deadline looms — a cutoff that could send a quarter of the police force home without pay.

“We have to prepare as if this is going to go into effect Friday evening and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said on NY1 Tuesday. “We have vaccines available throughout the city for our members.”

Police say that 73% of the NYPD has gotten at least one vaccination shot. The number should increase ahead of the deadline, Shea said. City employees not vaccinated by Friday will be sent home without pay.

20% Less Ambulances? FDNY Union Warns of ‘Catastrophe’ as NYC Vaccine Deadline Hits

NBC New York –

• New York City announced last week it was expanding its COVID-19 vaccine mandate to all public employees with no test-out option; the mayor says those who protect the city must be protected themselves
• The deadline for those workers, who include firefighters, police officers, transit officers and many essential employees, to show proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose is 5 p.m. Friday
• City Hall says it has enough vaccinated workers to cover any potential shortage but time will tell; the FDNY expects 20% of fire companies closed and 20% fewer ambulances on the road come Monday

New York City’s Uniformed Firefighters Association, which represents about 9,000 active members, and hundreds of members of other public unions marched by the hundreds Thursday in protest of the mayor’s imminent vaccination mandate.

Protesters carrying American flags and holding signs with messages like “#NaturalImmunity” descended en masse at Gracie Mansion, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s official residence, at 11 a.m. to begin their vocal trek through Manhattan streets.

It’s the latest in a series of such protests and comes about 30 hours before the mayor’s 5 p.m. Friday deadline for all municipal workers to show proof of at least one vaccine dose or face unpaid leave.

There is no test-out option. The new rules affect more than 160,000 workers (including police, firefighters and correctional officers) who aren’t vaccinated. (See a breakdown of vaccination rates by city agency further down in this story.)

Vax mandate could force FDNY companies to close, as NYPD faces street cop shortage

New York Post –

The FDNY is preparing to shutter as many as 20 percent of all Big Apple fire companies — and take an equal portion of its ambulances off the streets — ahead of the impending deadline for all city workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

On Wednesday, the FDNY said just 65 percent of its firefighters, fire officers and EMS workers had been vaccinated despite Mayor Bill de Blasio’s order that all city workers receive at least one dose or face suspension without pay on Monday.

“The Department must manage the unfortunate fact that a portion of our workforce has refused to comply with a vaccine mandate for all city employees,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement later Wednesday.

“We will use all means at our disposal, including mandatory overtime, mutual aid from other EMS providers and significant changes to the schedules of our members,” Nigro continued. “We will ensure the continuity of operations and safety of all those we have sworn oaths to serve.”

The commissioner didn’t assess the likely result of the potential moves, but one FDNY firefighter offered a grim prediction: “People will die in this city.”

NYC firefighters union says members should defy vaccine mandate

Reuters –

The head of the New York City firefighters union said on Wednesday he had told unvaccinated members to report for duty regardless of an order by Mayor Bill de Blasio to place them on unpaid leave if they fail to get the COVID-19 shot.

New York City firefighters who have risked their own health to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic felt “insulted” by de Blasio’s order to get the shot or face suspension, said Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

“I have told my members that if they choose to remain unvaccinated, they must still report for duty,” Ansbro told a news conference. “If they are told they cannot work, it will be the department and city of New York that sends them home. And it will be the department and the city of New York that has failed to protect the citizens of New York,” Ansbro said.

The union represents firefighters, fire marshals and other fire department members.