After the massive employee protests at Southwest Airlines that led to thousands of canceled flights and a massive monetary loss, the company had a change of heart and announced that they will not be placing unvaccinated employees on unpaid leave.
The employees were facing a December 8 deadline to be vaccinated. However, they now have the option to apply for a medical or religious exemption.
Newsmax reports:
Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said Tuesday that employees must submit proof that they got the shots, or file a request for an exemption from vaccination, by Nov. 24. Employees whose requests have not been processed or approved by Dec. 8 will be allowed to keep working, she said.
The company backtracked from a previous position that employees who had not been vaccinated or received an exemption would be put on unpaid leave.
“While we intend to grant all valid requests for accommodations, in the event a request is not granted, the company will provide adequate time for an employee to become fully vaccinated while continuing to work and adhering to safety protocols,” King explained.
Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly originally said in a statement that Southwest “must join our industry peers in complying with the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination directive.”
In the days after that statement, however, the pilots’ union asked a judge to temporarily block the order, saying Southwest should negotiate with the union over the issue. A hearing is scheduled Friday in federal court. This week, anti-mandate protesters demonstrated at the airline’s headquarters.
Kelly has indicated personal reluctance about the vaccine mandate.
“We are not going to fire any employees over this,” he declared last week. “We are urging all our employees to get vaccinated. If they can’t get vaccinated, we’re urging them to seek an accommodation.”
When it comes down to it, getting the vaccine should 100% be a personal choice for people to make.
Trending Political News
Grocery Chain Owner Sounds Alarm: Food Prices Will Go Up 'Tremendously'
On Monday, Gristedes grocery chain owner John Catsimatidis appeared on Fox Business Network and warned that food prices are going to go up "tremendously" as President Joe Biden struggles to get a handle on rising inflation. Inflation, that could have easily been avoided had the Biden administration not continued to throw away money left and right.
A partial transcript is as follows:
Dr. Doom Grants Vaccinated Americans Permission to Enjoy Holidays with Family
On Sunday, chief White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and declared that fully vaccinated Americans are allowed to enjoy Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas get togethers with their families.
How kind of him...*eyeroll*
Biden: ‘Unfortunately’ Colin Powell’s Vaccine ‘Didn’t Work’ Due to 'Underlying Conditions'
On Monday, President Joe Biden commented on the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died of COVID complications despite being fully vaccinated.
“By the way, he had serious underlying conditions, as you know, that’s the problem. It wasn’t that the vaccinations aren’t good, he had two very serious underlying conditions,” Biden told reporters. “And unfortunately didn’t work. God love him.”
WATCH: Jill Stops Dementia Joe from Trying to Talk into Mic While Music Blasts
Yikes! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think of all the cringeworthy things that President Joe Biden continues to do.
On Monday, he was his usual confused self during an event at the White House. He can be seen taking the podium and then attempting to speak into the microphone as the band in the background is still playing "God Bless America."
Busted! Biden Caught Red-Handed Violating His Own Mask Rules! What a Hypocrite! (VIDEO)
Busted! President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were caught red handed over the weekend violating the mask rules put into place by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Biden has been a stickler for pushing mask mandates and lecturing Americans to wear masks even if vaccinated, yet he can walk around and breathe clean air? Rules for thee, but not for me...eh?.
Boom! Sen. Lindsey Graham Calls for Impeachment of Joe Biden
During an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday, Senator Lindsey Graham called for the impeachment of President Joe Biden over the dangerous border crisis.
“There’s been 100% increase in fentanyl seizures at the Yuma sector alone. Our borders are completely open, they’re porous, people are pouring in, drugs are pouring in,” Graham explained. “Here’s what I worry about: Terrorists getting in the middle of this group and killing a bunch of us. The incompetence in Afghanistan...
'Let's Go Brandon' Song Trends at #1 on iTunes! Hear It Here!
Unless you have been living under a rock, then you have heard about the "f*ck Joe Biden" chants that have taken over sports stadiums, concerts, and even NASCAR.
You have also probably heard of the phrase "let's go Brandon" which came from a news reporter trying to claim that the crowds were chanting to cheer on NASCAR driver Brandon Brown....newsflash, they weren't.
Psaki to Reporters on Biden Violating Mask Mandate: 'Don’t Focus On It'
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki loves to get snippy with reporters when they are asking questions that she either doesn't have an answer to, or that make President Joe Biden and his administration look bad.
On Monday, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Psaki about the hypocrisy that the Bidens displayed over the weekend, when they were seen walking through a DC restaurant without masks. In DC, there is currently a mask mandate for all citizens, regardless of vaccination status, at indoor establishments.
Pence Addresses Biden's Botched Afghanistan Withdrawal: ‘Weakness Arouses Evil’
Former Vice President Mike Pence appeared on Fox News Business and told host Larry Kudlow that President Joe Biden's poorly mishandled withdrawal from Afghanistan could send a message to other adversaries that the United States is weak.
“Larry, weakness arouses evil, and the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan this August was a disgrace,” Pence explained. “And it was a disservice to the generation of Americans who wore the uniform who served, especially those who sacrificed in Afghanistan, defending freedom. But there is...
