Boston workers organize against vaccine mandate as thousands face termination
A group of city workers are organizing to fight Mayor Michelle Wus vaccine mandate, announced last week, which removes the option for city workers to get regularly tested instead of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption.
Approximately 2,300 city employees and contractors are out of compliance and face termination unless they present proof of vaccination by Jan. 15, according to a spokesperson from Wus administration. Proof of a second dose will be required by Feb. 15.
They really have removed choice. Its either do what we say, or well make you do it, said Shana Cottone, a Boston Police sergeant and president of Boston First Responders United, a grassroots group of city employees formed in July of last year. If you don't do it, we will take everything away from you, and we will ruin you so that you are nothing.
Cottones group is in the preliminary stages of preparing a legal challenge to the mandate, planning to demand that city employees return to their jobs without vaccination and receive financial damages.
Read more: https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/12/29/boston-workers-organize-against-vaccine-mandate-as-thousands-face-termination