PHOENIX — City of Phoenix employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 18, 2022 under the federal mandate, according to an email sent to city workers on Thursday.
BREAKING: the City of Phoenix says all employees must be vaccinated by January 18, 2022.
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) November 19, 2021
"Employees not in compliance with the COVID-19 vaccine requirement by January 18, 2022 will be contacted and subject to progressive discipline up to and including termination," a memo says.
Officials say that due to the number of federal contracts held by the City of Phoenix, it is considered a federal contractor, meaning all city employees are subject to the provisions outlined in President Biden’s Executive Order. Biden’s September order stated all federal workers or contractors must be fully vaccinated against the virus.
The city’s letter to employees states that there are limited accommodations for those not wanting to be vaccinated.
“An employee may request a religious or medical accommodation by submitting a completed religious or medical accommodation form and any required supporting documentation to [email address redacted],” the letter stated.
According to the city, those not in compliance with the vaccine requirement will be contacted and subject to “progressive discipline up to and including termination.”
REACTIONS
PJ Dean, a spokesperson for United Phoenix Firefighters Local 493 released the following statement:
“Given the magnitude of our current staffing challenges, we have great concern as to how this mandate will impact our department's ability to provide adequate service delivery to our residents.”
Michael London, President of PLEA, released the following statement:
"We take the health and well-being of our officers very seriously. The men and women of the Phoenix Police Department have been on the frontlines throughout the pandemic responding to the public safety needs of our community each day. We respect each officer's decision regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association will continue to monitor the developments of the City of Phoenix vaccine mandate and how it impacts our department."
