“If you don’t get the vaccine, get out”… United Airlines fires 600 employees

US airline United Airlines has begun the process of severing 600 employees who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus on the 28th local time.

CEO Scott Kirby and Chairman Brett Hart said in a memo to employees on Sunday that they began the process of ending contracts with 593 employees who did not submit vaccination certificates, saying, “It was a tough decision, but safety is our number one priority.” said.

Earlier in August, United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to make it compulsory for all domestic flight employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, and required them to submit vaccination certificates by the 27th of this month.

The company explained that among the 593 people who have not yet submitted certificates, they can continue to work if they receive the vaccine until the contract termination process is completed.

The company also announced that employees who applied for an exemption from vaccination for religious or health reasons would take unpaid leave or unpaid sick leave from the 2nd of next month.

However, a lawsuit has been filed with the court regarding unpaid leave and sick leave for employees exempt from vaccination, and the measures have been postponed until the 15th of next month.

To date, more than 99% of United Airlines’ 67,000 U.S. employees have been vaccinated, and fewer than 3% have applied for a vaccine exemption, the company said.

United Airlines plans to hire 25,000 new employees in the future, he said, adding that vaccination will be a condition for hiring.