American, Alaska, JetBlue announce vaccine mandates for employees
Alaska Airlines jets are parked at their terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:17 PM PT – Saturday, October 2, 2021
More major American airlines have issued new mandates for their employees to get vaccinated. Reports on Friday said American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue each announced new vaccine requirements while citing requirements by the Biden administration for companies with government contracts to have their employees vaccinated.
Unlike companies not under government deals, the White House said employees of government contractors are required to get the vaccine without the option for regular testing or mask usage. Airlines fall under this order because they have several agreements for government flights and services.
“Due to several of our agreements, including the City Pair Program, the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program and our Department of Defense cargo contracts, American is classified as a government contractor,” explained American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker in a released statement. “…It is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines.”
Breaking: @AmericanAir says federal vaccine mandate will apply to all U.S-based employees pic.twitter.com/JYdkx2McDa
— davidshepardson (@davidshepardson) October 1, 2021
The Biden administration mandated employees of federal contractors to get the jab before December 8 in order to comply with federal guidelines.