The number of United Airlines employees facing termination has dropped from 593 to 320 after the airline said it would fire them.
According to United Airlines, more employees have uploaded proof of vaccination on September 30, 2021. The airline gave a deadline of September 27, 2021 for employees whose requests for medical or religious exemptions were denied, to produce proof of their first dose of vaccine.
Among all major US airlines, United has the strictest policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. The airline advised its employees in August 2021 that it is mandatory for them to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they wish to continue being employed.
Other airlines like Southwest and Alaska Airlines have offered incentive programs for vaccinated employees. Some, like Delta Air Lines, have decided to fine unvaccinated employees over $200 a month.
“Our vaccine policy continues to prove requirements work — in less than 48 hours, the number of unvaccinated employees who began the process of being separated from the company has been cut almost in half, dropping from 593 to 320,” United Airlines said in a statement.