Phoenix is halting plans to require all employees to get COVID-19 vaccines.
Just hours before Phoenix City Council members were scheduled to discuss a vaccine mandate for more than 14,000 employees, a federal judge on Tuesday issued a nationwide injunction, temporarily blocking it. Last month, Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton announced employees would have until Jan. 18, 2022, to get vaccinated or receive a medical or religious exemption.
“I value our employees, each and every one of them. I value their right to personal choice, religious freedom and other convictions, but I also have an obligation to ensure the city operates within state and federal laws,” he said.
In September, President Biden issued an executive order requiring all employees of federal contractors be vaccinated. Phoenix says the federal government considers the city a contractor and must ensure its employees are either vaccinated or exempt due to medical or religious reasons. Legal staff in and outside City Hall reviewed the executive order and federal guidance and agreed.
“The debate and discussion around COVID-19 and the vaccines are two of the most polarizing and hotly contested topics of debate in the country,” Barton said. “Throughout the last three weeks, I have heard from both sides of this conversation and let me be clear that both sides are steadfast in their beliefs.”
If the executive order survives legal challenges, he said Phoenix will try to coordinate implementation with the federal government.
City data about COVID-19 and employees
- 3,940 employees (29%) tested positive.
- 24 employee deaths related to COVID-19.
- 747 workers’ compensation claims filed related to COVID-19.
- $5.8 million total incurred.
- $14.2 million in medical plan costs related to COVID-19.
- Most significant illness and death has occurred in unvaccinated employees.
- 51% of employees have submitted a completed vaccine card.
- No significant side effects reported.
