<p>Southwest Airlines will not place unvaccinated staff on unpaid leave while they await potential exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to new internal guidance from the airline.</p>
<p>Steve Goldberg and Julie Weber, two Southwest Airlines executives, communicated the change with employees in a memo on Friday. The memo, obtained by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/19/southwest-vaccine-mandate-unpaid-leave-exemptions.html">CNBC News</a>, notes that any staff who have requested an exemption but haven&#8217;t yet heard back by the December 8 deadline will not be forced onto unpaid leave.</p>
<p>“This is a change from what was previously communicated. Initially, we communicated that these Employees would be put on unpaid leave and that is no longer the case,” the memo reportedly said.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s unclear what will happen if an exemption request isn&#8217;t granted. A spokesperson for Southwest told <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/southwest-put-unvaccinated-workers-unpaid-leave-80674578">The Associated Press</a> that any individuals seeking an exemption must apply by November 24.</p>
<p>“While we intend to grant all valid requests for medical and/or religious accommodations, in the event a request is not granted, the company will provide adequate time for an employee to become fully vaccinated while continuing to work and adhering to safety protocols,&#8221; <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/southwest-backs-off-plan-place-153400808.html">said</a> a Southwest spokesperson, reports The Washington Examiner.</p>
<p>The reversal follows a turbulent time for Southwest, one of the nation&#8217;s largest airlines and one of the four major airlines in the U.S., and comes ahead of the busy holiday season.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, Southwest said poor weather and air traffic control issues forced them to cancel and delay thousands of flights. The Federal Aviation Administration, without naming the airline, pinned the company&#8217;s problems on staffing.</p>
<p>Rumors also circulated that Southwest pilots were refusing to work, something that the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association denied was happening. Several days later, the number of cancellations plummeted, and the airline&#8217;s service seemed to have returned to normal, according to data from Flight Aware, a flight tracking service.</p>
<p>Southwest has been telling employees that they must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to comply with federal guidelines for contractors. While the airline is based in Texas, the company has ignored a separate rule from Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) that prohibits vaccine mandates within the state — a rule that is at odds with the Biden administration&#8217;s stance.</p>
<p>&#8220;Federal action supersedes any state mandate or law, and we would be expected to comply with the President&#8217;s Order to remain compliant as a federal contractor,&#8221; Southwest told <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/12/southwest-airlines-enforce-vaccine-mandate-employees-515801">POLITICO</a> last week.</p>
<p>Pilots for Southwest have voiced opposition to the mandate, and have <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-09/southwest-air-pilots-seek-to-block-covid-vaccination-mandate">filed a lawsuit</a> to stop it from going into effect.</p>
<p>Delta Airlines, another of the country&#8217;s major airlines, decided against pursuing a vaccine mandate but did tell employees that they would be charged an extra $200 a month on their health insurance if they refused to take the vaccine. According to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/13/delta-employee-covid-vaccination-rates-rise-to-90.html">CNBC</a>, Delta&#8217;s insurance surcharge for unvaccinated staff will go into effect in early November, at which point, Delta predicts only 5% of its staff will be unvaccinated.</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Southwest Airlines Walks Back Unpaid Leave Stance For Unvaccinated Staffers Seeking Exemptions

American Reporter Arrested By Russia Charged With Spying

Inflation, Immigration Most Important Issues For GOP Primary Voters: Poll

WATCH: Good Samaritan Chases Fleeing Drunk Driver Who Killed Cop, Pins Him Down

Marianne Williamson Teases 2024 Biden Primary Rematch

ABC News Producer, 37, Died From Choking While Drunk, Medical Examiner Says

TV Journalist Arrested For ‘Disorderly Conduct’ At Train Derailment Press Conference

News

COVID-19 Vaccine

Southwest Airlines

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Southwest Airlines Walks Back Unpaid Leave Stance For Unvaccinated Staffers Seeking Exemptions