COVID vaccine: NYC appeals judge’s ruling that could reinstate fired unvaccinated workers
NEW YORK (WABC) — New York City is appealing a judge’s ruling to reinstate municipal employees fired for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The city is appealing the latest ruling by a Staten Island judge finding a segment of the municipal work force should not require vaccination.
Staten Island Supreme Court Justice Ralph Porzio ruled Monday that the vaccination requirement for a group of sanitation workers suing the city is arbitrary and capricious.
The ruling would reinstate fired unvaccinated employees and order backpay.
“Being vaccinated does not prevent an individual from contracting or transmitting Covid-19,” the ruling notes.
Porzio has ruled similarly cases in the past, and he is quickly becoming go-to judge for lawyers representing city employees.
And as it has in the past, the city is appealing. Until that court rules, the vaccine mandate remains in effect.
A spokesman with the law department released the following statement:
“The city strongly disagrees with this ruling as the mandate is firmly grounded in law and is critical to New Yorkers’ public health. We have already filed an appeal. In the meantime, the mandate remains in place as this ruling pertains solely to the individual petitioners in this case. We continue to review the court’s decision, which conflicts with numerous other rulings already upholding the mandate.”
Meanwhile, the NYC Board of Health voted unanimously Tuesday morning to repeal the vaccine mandate for private employees, as initially announced by Mayor Eric Adams on Sept. 20.
The rules will expire on Tuesday, Nov. 1, as per the mayor’s announcement at that time.
ALSO READ | New Jersey mom on mission for answers about possible cancer cluster school
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
