City Must Reinstate Workers Fired Over Lightfoot’s COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement, Judge Rules – Block Club Chicago
City Must Reinstate Workers Fired Over Lightfoot’s COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement, Judge Rules Block Club ChicagoView Full Coverage on Google News
CHICAGO — The city must bring back union employees who were fired for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the state’s labor board.
The decision Wednesday calls for the city to rescind its vaccination policy, which was implemented by Mayor Lori Lightfoot in fall 2021. Employees must also be repaid for lost wages and benefits, with interest, according to the ruling.
The case stems from unfair labor practices charges filed by unions representing a range of city workers — including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, laborers operating engineers and others — who consolidated their efforts after Lightfoot cemented the mandate, according to the Illinois Labor Relations Board.
The 78-page decision by administrative law judge Anna Hamburg-Gal cited the city for “failing and refusing to bargain collectively in good faith” before unilaterally mandating the vaccine. The ruling does not weigh in on the legality of vaccine requirements, instead focusing on the process under which it was enforced.
Some city workers refused to get the vaccine, while Lightfoot said workers “owe it to the public” to protect themselves from the virus.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoIt is unclear how many workers the latest ruling will impact, but it addresses workers fired or penalized for refusing to get vaccinated and not those who may have quit because of it.
Hamburg-Gal said the COVID-19 vaccine had been available for almost a year at the time of Lightfoot’s mandate, leading her to reject the city’s argument that “exigent circumstances” called for a swift crackdown on workers.
A Lightfoot spokesperson called the ruling “an erroneous decision.”
“Yesterday’s ruling was an erroneous decision that does not follow the law, facts nor importantly the science,” the spokesperson said. “We are currently reviewing the ruling and evaluating next steps.”
The city has 30 days to appeal. From there, a state board panel can review Hamburg-Gal’s decision and make a decision.
Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter said the union is hopeful the full board will uphold Hamburg-Gal’s decision and the city won’t file exceptions.
““The decision of the Administrative Law Judge in the unfair labor practice case against the City of Chicago regarding the City’s vaccine mandate defends the rights of workers to have a say in their workplace through collective bargaining,” Reiter said.
Police officers who are part of the Fraternal Order of Police have their own, pending case with the state board, according to the Tribune.
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