(Natural News) The American Hospital Association (AHA) revealed that around 1,500 hospitals in the U.S. are requiring all workers to get vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) as a condition of employment. That number represents nearly 25 percent of hospitals in the country.
The first major hospital system to introduce vaccine mandate was the Houston Methodist Hospital system in Texas back in March 31. The hospital’s decision was met with backlash from employees, and 117 filed a joint lawsuit against the hospital. But the lawsuit was dismissed and more than 100 employees lost their job. (Related: Over 100 Houston Methodist Hospital employees sue over covid vaccine “mandate.”)
Meanwhile, one of the latest to require COVID-19 vaccination for employees is Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare – a Memphis-based health system with 13,000 employees. It said on Aug. 9 that it is requiring all of its employees to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 31. The requirement applies to employees across hospital and outpatient locations in West Tennessee and North Mississippi.
Healthcare unions oppose vaccine mandates
Healthcare unions have spoken up against vaccine mandates. “We have a right to bargain over a new work rule,” said Debbie White, president of Health Professionals and Allied Employees – New Jersey’s largest healthcare union. Most union contracts will prevent employers from imposing mandates without negotiating.
After the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City gave all of its employees until Sept. 1 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or be terminated, the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union announced that it would oppose vaccine mandates. 1199SEIU is composed of more than 450,000 members across six states and the District of Columbia.
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Author: Nolan Barton
