One bold airline CEO is making a statement that is sure to be controversial, and goes against the grain of what some of his peers have publicly stated.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in an employee town hall, that if it were his choice, he’d make a COVID-d10 vaccination mandatory for people to work for his company. “The worst thing that I believe I will ever do in my career is the letters that I have written to the surviving family members of coworkers that we have lost to the coronavirus.And so, for me, because I have confidence in the safety of the vaccine – and I recognize it’s controversial – I think the right thing to do is for United Airlines, and for other companies, to require the vaccines and to make them mandatory.”
Kirby pointed out in the memo that his airline is working with government officials and health care providers to set up vaccine distribution centers near some of the big hubs they service around the county.
That would help regarding the logistics of trying to have everyone vaccinated, but even with that it would nearly be impossible. “I don’t think United will get away with and can realistically be the only company that requires vaccines and makes them mandatory,” he said. “We need some others. We need some others to show leadership. Particularly in the healthcare industry.”
American Airlines has said they do not plan on requiring employees to be vaccinated unless its required to reenter certain destinations. Southwest also does not currently require employees to get vaccinated, but they encourage staff to do it.
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