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NYC School Vaccine Mandate Class Action Lawsuits Overview:
- Who: New York City public school systems
- What: Teachers unions are suing the city for a policy that requires all city teachers to have the COVID-19 vaccine to return to school, with few exceptions.
- Where: New York City
New York City has been hit with two class action lawsuits over its back-to-school COVID-19 policy — a school vaccine mandate that requires all employees of the public school system to get vaccinated with no option to opt out through weekly coronavirus testing.
On Friday, a slew of unions — including District 37, the United Federation of Teachers and Teamsters Local 237 — filed a lawsuit against the City, alleging their rights were being violated.
A law firm filed a similar class action lawsuit against New York City, the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Friday over the mandate, which requires all public school employees to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 27.
In the meantime, an independent arbitrator issued a ruling Friday addressing some of the allegations made by teachers and their unions.
School Vaccine Mandate Class Actions Demand Options
The teachers’ unions say they support vaccination and encourage all employees to vaccinate if they are able, but alleged that the school vaccine mandate, as originally announced, is coercive because employees who opt-out must either go on unpaid leave or use their sick pay, the NY Post reports.
Union representatives pointed out that most workers can’t afford the loss of pay, benefits and pensions.
“The main part that has to be challenged — and not allow a precedent to be set — is a local government trying to say they can remove people from payroll because of a vaccine mandate,” the United Federation of Teachers head Michael Mulgrew said at a press conference Friday.
“They’re willing to do the work, but they just need accommodations and the proper exemptions.”
The United Federation of Teachers reportedly claims the city has refused to accommodate teachers with legitimate medical or religious exceptions to the mandate, failing to provide them with the option of weekly testing or remote instruction, SILive reports.
The United Federation of Teachers said city negotiators said those with medical issues can stay on the payroll and use up their sick days before being placed on unpaid leave, while those with religious objections would be placed on unpaid leave immediately, leaving them without income or health insurance.
Arbitrator Rules in School Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit
An independent arbitrator issued a ruling Friday, finding that NYC teachers who are exempt from the vaccination due to a medical or religious reason must be provided non-classroom work.
Those who refuse the school vaccine mandate for other reasons must be provided the option of unpaid leave with health insurance or a severance package with the option to reapply, ruled the arbitrator addressing claims made by the United Teachers Federation.
The class action lawsuits come as city and state workers around the country challenge various employer, government, and other school vaccine mandates. Recently, a group of 800 first responders in Honolulu and Maui joined 1,200 others in a class action lawsuit filed against the government, alleging that COVID-19 vaccine requirements violate their civil rights.
What do you think of the school vaccine mandate for teachers in NYC? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
- Hawaiian Inmates Reach Settlement With State Over COVID-19 Outbreaks
- President Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement May Cover 100 Million American Workers
- Parents Sue Tennessee Governor, County for Lack of Mask Mandate in Schools
- Another 800 First Responders in Hawaii Join in Class Action Fight Against Vaccine Mandate Requirement
One thought on NYC School Vaccine Mandate for Teachers Prompt Multiple Class Action Lawsuits
NYC VACCINE MANDATE does the exact opposite of what we teach and what the United States stands for. This is oppressive, discriminatory and defies civil rights, and our constitution. My vaccine will not protect others as it continue to be repeated by the media….it simply helps to reduce my own symptoms and the potential to being hospitalized. Vaccinated citizens can still get and give the virus and may be more dangerous as they may be completely Asymptomatic and more carefree with safety protocols. The way to protect each other is doing what all teachers or people with common sense have been doing…distancing, frequent handwashing, sanitizing, airpurifying and wearing face coverings.
Common sense is not so common when it comes to politics and deceitful practices.
Someone please explain how my vaccine will help you not get the Covid virus.