Almost 600 United Airlines employees face losing their jobs because they have not complied with the carrier’s Covid-19 vaccination policy, say reports.
The BBC said that the vast majority of the airline’s 67,000 US staff have supplied proof of vaccination, which was required by Monday (September 29).
The report said the 593 workers “who have refused a coronavirus vaccine and have not applied for an exemption on religious or medical grounds” now face the sack.
Chief executive Scott Kirby and president Brett Hart said: “Our rationale for requiring the vaccine for all United’s US-based employees was simple – to keep our people safe – and the truth is this: everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated, and vaccine requirements work.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision but keeping our team safe has always been our first priority.”
A further 2,000 employees have requested an exemption to the policy.
Fiona Cincotta, market analyst at City Index, told the BBC’s Today programme that the “strict” policy was not likely to be introduced by UK airlines.
Other US airlines have not yet mandated inoculations for staff but they have imposed policies to encourage vaccinations.
Delta Air Lines will impose a $200 monthly surcharge from November on employees who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
And from September 30, it will only pay sick pay to Covid sufferers who have been double-jabbed but still get infected.