Executive Order 14043 (Vaccine Mandate)
This message was sent out from the national office this morning:
“On Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, the White House released an Executive Order (EO) requiring vaccination for all federal employees, subject to such exceptions as required by law. Over the course of the last few days, we have received many questions and varying reactions to the new policy. We understand that there are widely differing views of a vaccination mandate. However, the law is clear that employers, including the federal government, may implement a vaccination requirement for their employees.
Throughout the pandemic, we have worked to implement a variety of measures specifically intended to protect the health and safety of our membership. We view this EO as another such measure. NATCA will continue to ensure that our rights under our collective bargaining agreements and those provided by law are protected.
We are reviewing the legally recognized medical and religious exceptions and will ensure that any such exceptions presented by members are evaluated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is a matter of public health, and we have an obligation to protect the health and safety of those that we represent. As such, concurrent with the vaccine mandate, we urge our members to get vaccinated. We will continue to ensure that the implementation is handled in the best interest of our membership and adheres to all laws and our Collective Bargaining Agreements.”
Key point to keep in mind: “...legally recognized medical and religious exceptions…” This is something the national office is still ironing out how this will look. Details to follow.
When: there are not any dates associated with this yet but as soon as the exemption and tracking details are finalized a date will be announced too.
At the end of the day, this is an executive order that must be followed just like every executive order before it. What we do have a seat at the table for though is how it is implemented.
Here are the two executive orders if you would like to look at them in totality.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Derek Adams and Amy Sizemore