United Airlines CEO wants to make Covid vaccines mandatory for company employees

The CEO of United Airlines wants to make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory for employees and encourages other companies to do the same.

This is a position that differs from what some other carriers and companies have recently said. United had more than 60,000 active U.S. employees at the end of 2020 and sent recall notices to some 17,000 other workers whose jobs were cut last year.

“The worst thing I think I will ever do in my career is the letters I have written to surviving family members of colleagues we have lost to the coronavirus,” CEO Scott Kirby said Thursday in a town hall of an employee. of which has been reviewed by CNBC. “And so, for me, because I have confidence in the safety of the vaccine – and I admit it’s controversial – I think the right thing to do is for United Airlines, and for other companies, to require vaccines and make them compulsory. “

Kirby recognized the logistical challenges of getting staff vaccinated.

Airline workers are seen as essential workers and are among the first groups to receive vaccines. But so far the rollout has been slow and chaotic, with the nation behind its targets.

“I don’t think United will get away with this and can realistically be the only company to require vaccines and make them mandatory,” he said. “We need a few more. We need a few more to show leadership. Especially in the health sector.”

In the staff note, he said he was working with government officials and healthcare providers to set up vaccine distribution centers in some of his major centers.

Southwest Airlines said last week it does not “currently” require employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but strongly encouraged staff to do so.

American Airlines takes a similar approach, telling employees last week that “We don’t plan to require members of our team to receive the vaccine unless vaccinations are ultimately required for entry to certain destinations.”

United told employees in a staff note this week to get the shot as soon as possible and not wait for the airline’s advice.

Some companies try to persuade workers to get vaccinated by offering them additional pay. Yogurt and food company Chobani said it would give employees at its manufacturing plants and offices up to six hours of paid time to get both vaccinations.

So far, some retailers like Aldi, Lidl and Dollar General have announced similar plans to offer additional pay. Aldi said he would also like to open on-site vaccination clinics in its warehouses and offices to make it easy for workers to get vaccinated and remove barriers related to childcare or finding a means of transport.