Southwest, American airlines workers will have to get vaccinated, despite Texas order
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed a sweeping order effectively banning vaccine mandates for private businesses with 100 or more employees.
Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, both based in Texas, said Tuesday that they will continue plans to require employees to get vaccinated, despite an edict issued by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that would ban vaccine mandates for private businesses in the state.
“Federal action supersedes any state mandate or law, and we would be expected to comply with the President’s Order to remain compliant as a federal contractor,” Southwest said in a statement to POLITICO, referencing the Biden administration’s requirement that government contractors be vaccinated by Dec. 8.
“We will continue to follow all orders closely and keep our employees updated on any potential changes to existing policies,” a spokesperson said, adding the airline is in the process of “reviewing all guidance issued on the vaccine.”
Abbott on Monday signed a sweeping order effectively banning vaccine mandates for private businesses with 100 or more employees. Last month, the Biden administration said it will require that businesses with 100 employees or more must mandate vaccines or receive weekly Covid tests.
American Airlines said it’s also reviewing Abbott’s order and that so far airline officials “believe the federal vaccine mandate supersedes any conflicting state laws, and this does not change anything for American.”
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Texas-based airlines Southwest and American both say President Biden's vaccine requirement trumps Gov. Abbott's order against vaccine mandates https://t.co/y58ucAqjSc
— POLITICO (@politico) October 12, 2021
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