DALLAS (AP) – United Airlines said the number of employees facing termination for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has dropped nearly by half, to 320, after more of its 67,000 U.S. workers provided evidence of vaccination.
An airline spokeswoman said Thursday the declining number of potential firings shows the company’s policy of requiring vaccinations is working.
United Airlines announced in August it would require U.S. employees to get vaccinated, calling it an important safety measure. Employees faced a deadline this Monday to upload images of their vaccination cards showing that they had gotten at least one shot.
The airline said Tuesday 593 employees faced termination. On Thursday, United reduced that number and said more than 99% of its workers have either become vaccinated or applied for a medical or religious exemption. People whose exemption requests are approved will be put on medical or other leave status and could lose their income.
“Our vaccine policy continues to prove requirements work,” spokeswoman Leslie Scott said in a statement. “In less than 48 hours, the number of unvaccinated employees who began the process of being separated from the company has been cut almost in half.”
Chicago-based United has the toughest vaccination policy among major U.S. airlines. Delta Air Lines is requiring vaccination or weekly testing, but will begin charging unvaccinated workers on the company health plan a $200 monthly surcharge starting in November.
American and Southwest have offered incentives for employees to get vaccinated,