Nearly 20% of firefighters in New York City have taken sick leave in the last week as De Blasio’s vaccine mandate goes into effect today:
NBC NEWS – More than 2,000 New York City firefighters have taken medical leave in the past week as unvaccinated municipal workers face the start of sanctions Monday.
Frank Dwyer, deputy commissioner of the New York City Fire Department, said by email that the number of firefighters on medical leave was “very unusual.” The department employs roughly 11,000 firefighters.
Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro suggested in a statement Sunday that firefighters who participated in the apparent sickout were neglecting their oaths, which commit them to “faithfully discharge the duties” of their jobs. Those who do not meet the vaccination requirement have been threatened with unpaid leave starting Monday.
“Irresponsible bogus sick leave by some of our members is creating a danger for New Yorkers and their fellow Firefighters,” Nigro said. “They need to return to work or risk the consequences of their actions.”
You know what else is creating a danger for New Yorkers and their fellow firefighters? Irresponsible vaccinate mandates by fascist governors that threaten the jobs and pay of firefighters and other first responders.
That’s the real problem here and the reason all of these firefighters are on a ‘sickout’. If the fire commissioner wants to blame someone, he should put the blame squarely where it belongs, on Bill de Blasio.
The firefighters are simply standing up for their jobs and for the freedom for them to do with their bodies as they see fit.
New York’s Uniformed Firefighter Association predicts that dozens of firehouses will close today because of the vaccinate mandate:
NEW – Dozens of FDNY firehouses likely to close today as the vaccine mandate takes effect, says the President of @UFANYC.pic.twitter.com/IkIKpsqd1q
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) November 1, 2021