A federal judge has just put a temporary restraining order on the enforcement of a vaccine mandate at United Airlines pending arguments in the case:
US District Judge Mark Pittman from Texas ordered a temporary restraining order (expires Oct. 26) on United Airlines, preventing the company from enforcing its vaccine mandate, to hear the relevant arguments of the employees and airline.
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 13, 2021
Here’s more from Business Insider:
A federal judge in Texas ordered United Airlines to temporarily pause its plan to put unvaccinated workers on leave if they requested a medical or religious exemption from complying with the company’s strict vaccine mandate.
On Tuesday, US District Judge Mark Pittman blocked United’s vaccine mandate for workers who requested an exemption, effectively keeping them on the company payroll, reported CNN. The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by six United employees in September who said the company’s plan to put employees who requested an exemption on temporary leave was not a reasonable accommodation, but rather a punitive action that could lead to termination.
The employees, which include two pilots and one flight attendant, accused the airline of discrimination against workers who requested accommodation, saying the policy violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act, according to the lawsuit.
Pittman’s restraining order, which expires on October 26, is only a temporary halt to United’s policy while he hears more arguments on the case.
“The court is not currently ruling on the merits of the parties’ arguments on these points,” Pittman said in his order. “Rather the court seeks simply to avoid the risk of irreparable harm to the parties and to maintain the status quo while the court holds an evidentiary hearing.”
I think this is a small victory and hopefully it will lead to a much greater victory that sees the end of these vaccine mandates at United. I really needs to end everywhere because it’s despicable to put someone on leave or fire them for refusing to take the COVID vaccine.