* Background is here if you need it. Press release…
The following was released by SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley on the Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers:
As a union of healthcare workers dedicated to public health and well-being, we are committed to vaccination as a crucial step towards safeguarding the health of care recipients, care givers and entire communities.
A collaborative approach between the union and employers is crucial at a time when new variants are threatening to prolong the ongoing crisis.
As healthcare employers increasingly turn to mandatory vaccinations in their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, it is evident that a comprehensive and collaborative approach is needed to effectively protect workers, patients and entire communities. It is crucial that workers and frontline employers work together to not only significantly increase vaccination rates, but to do so in a way that respects the needs of frontline caregivers and gives them a voice in the process.
Employers have a role to play in fostering this collaborative approach by showing their willingness to partner with the union to provide workers with the resources that enable these frontline caregivers to be vaccinated without negative economic or other impacts. This partnership includes educating and engaging healthcare workers to increase vaccination rates and bargaining over sick days and paid time off so that employees will not be facing mandatory vaccinations without sufficient paid time off should they suffer any hardship. Additionally, employers need to listen and proactively respond to and act upon worker concerns.
We support mandated vaccinations for healthcare workers in conjunction with a comprehensive education program as a means to better protect workers and care recipients by moving facilities and communities towards the necessary herd immunity required to stop the spread of COVID-19 and by protecting vulnerable populations from the ravages of the virus. At the same time, we strongly urge healthcare employers to partner with the union and listen and respond to worker voices and worker needs in the implementation of vaccination mandates.
- Nick - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 8:35 am:
That doesn’t seem unreasonable
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 8:52 am:
AFSCME?
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 8:52 am:
So the union is arguing that employees should receive paid time off to go to the local pharmacy for a 15 minute appointment?
Does the union also think employees should receive paid time off to do laundry of their uniform? How about being paid to drive to work?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 8:52 am:
AFSCME… are you going to look at all these others and say your position makes any sense?
- wayward - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 8:55 am:
I assume the union wants paid time off for employees who experience adverse affects from the vaccine, which is not unreasonable.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 8:59 am:
=== Does the union also think employees should receive paid time off to do laundry of their uniform? How about being paid to drive to work?===
When they actually ask for it, you’ll be the first to know…
(Sigh)
- RIJ - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:01 am:
SEIU is not “committed to vaccination.” They are only offering to negotiate now before their members are forced to vaccinate or lose jobs. Disingenuous.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:03 am:
===paid time off to go to the local pharmacy for a 15 minute appointment===
Some people do have reactions to the vax. I got both of mine on a Friday, which worked out well because any reaction wouldn’t interfere with work (turns out, I would’ve been fine, but that’s just me).
- Earnest - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:14 am:
It’s an awesome statement and a very reasonable expression of concerns on behalf of their workers. I know it’s anecdotal, but numerous service providers brought vaccination clinics on-site and/or gave paid time to employees to go get vaccinations outside of their normal work schedules. Responsible leadership on the part of SEIU Healthcare Illinois.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:19 am:
===Some people do have reactions to the vax. I got both of mine on a Friday, which worked out well because any reaction wouldn’t interfere with work (turns out, I would’ve been fine, but that’s just me).====
Okay, that makes sense. I rescind my snarky complaint with apologies.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:27 am:
Does SEIU 73 have a similar position regarding SOS’s all-employee vax mandate by Sept. 1? Since the majority of SOS employees are SEIU members (not a single employee at SOS is AFSCME).
- Manchester - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:28 am:
Their response sounds pretty measured and reasonable. I can understand the desire for paid time off if an employee has a reaction to the vaccine. I was sick with fever, cough and chills for about 36 hours after my second shot. It felt a lot like the flu but it was short lived.
- RIJ - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:28 am:
But why now with the letter? Why not months ago?
- Nagidam - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 9:44 am:
Quite reasonable requests. The vaccine does have side effects in some but not all people. If an employer is going to mandate the vaccine there should be an accommodation for time to get the vaccine and time for any potential side effects.
- City Zen - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 10:01 am:
“This partnership includes educating and engaging healthcare workers to increase vaccination rates”
Sure, but doesn’t the union already actively educate and engage their members? What vital piece of information on COVID is the employer going to pass along that the union, or the government for that matter, already hasn’t already?
- Chicago Blue - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 10:23 am:
@ RIJ It only takes a simple stroll to the SEIU HCII website to see that they’ve been advocating for their members to take the vaccines through a variety of means since they were first available by sharing statements from trusted political leaders, member video stores and webinars. As a voluntary membership organization, I’m sure they made the call that soft persuasion in lieu of scolding was the right tactic at the time and have now moved into a different phase.
- RIJ - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 10:48 am:
@Chicago Blue Attitudes like that are allowing people to die.
- Steve Polite - Thursday, Aug 19, 21 @ 11:01 am:
What say you AFSCME Council 31?