A health worker is wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during a United Airlines Covid-19 test pilot program at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, USA, on Monday, November 16, 2020.
Angus Mordant | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The CEO of United Airlines wants to make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory for employees and encourages other companies to do the same.
It is a position that differs from what other carriers and companies have recently said. United had more than 60,000 active employees in the United States at the end of 2020 and sent recall notifications to another 17,000 workers whose jobs were cut last year.
“The worst thing I think I will ever do in my career is the letters I wrote to family members of my fellow survivors that I lost to the coronavirus,” CEO Scott Kirby said Thursday. a city hall of employees from which it was reviewed by CNBC. “And so, for me, because I trust the safety of the vaccine – and I admit it is controversial – I think what needs to be done is for United Airlines, and for other companies, to apply for the vaccines and make them mandatory. . “
Kirby acknowledged the logistical challenges of vaccinating staff.
Airline employees are considered essential workers and are among the first groups to receive vaccines. But the launch so far has been slow and chaotic, with the nation running behind targets.
“I don’t think United will escape and may realistically be the only company that needs vaccines and makes them mandatory,” he said. “We need others. We need others to demonstrate leadership. Especially in the healthcare industry. “
In a staff note, he said he is working with government officials and health care providers to set up vaccine distribution centers in some of its large centers.
Southwest Airlines said last week that it does not “currently require” employees to receive Covid-19 vaccines, but said it has encouraged staff to do so.
American Airlines has a similar approach, telling employees last week that “we do not intend to ask our team members to receive the vaccine unless the vaccinations are ultimately mandated for entry into certain destinations.”
United told employees in a staff note this week to get vaccinated as soon as possible and not wait for guidance from the airline.
Some companies try to persuade workers to receive the vaccine by offering additional salaries. Yogurt and food company Chobani said it would give employees in its factories and offices up to six hours of paid time to receive the two vaccinations.
So far, some retailers, such as Aldi, Lidl and Dollar General, have announced similar plans to offer additional payments. Aldi said he would also like to open vaccination clinics at his warehouses and offices to make it easier for workers to take photos and remove obstacles to caring for children or finding transportation.