COVID vaccinations are not obligatory for Los Angeles metropolis staff

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Within the midst of the pandemic, town of Los Angeles accepted a controversial COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Metropolis employees have been instructed in the event that they wished to maintain their jobs they needed to be up-to-date on vaccinations.

On Tuesday, that mandate grew to become historical past. The town council voted unanimously to finish the COVID vaccination necessities for metropolis staff.

However for a body of workers, that measure comes too late to save lots of their jobs.

“It has been two years, 9 months and 22 days since this metropolis purposefully destroyed the lives of its particular employees. individuals to talk on the public remark part of the assembly.

Kennedy says he represents lots of of firefighters, cops and different employees who’ve sued town of Los Angeles as a result of they have been fired for refusing to get vaccinated. .

Janine Bedard, a former sergeant within the Los Angeles Police Division, says she was fired after 24 years of service.

“I used to be instructed {that a} new employment situation required me to get vaccinated. If I did not, I may undergo severe harm and even demise. I used to be embarrassed and instructed I used to be a hazard to public well being and that I’d not be capable to fulfill my duties.” sergeant’s duties if I did not get the vaccine,” Bedard stated on the assembly.

The order accepted Tuesday creates a path to return to work for employees who have been fired for not getting vaccinated and others who’ve voluntarily give up their jobs. joyful Staff can reapply for his or her jobs, however there are not any ensures.

The previous staff who’ve filed the lawsuit additionally search again pay and damages.

The Metropolis of Los Angeles withdrew its emergency declaration resulting from COVID-19 in February 2023. In Could 2023, the federal authorities additionally declared the tip of the general public well being emergency of COVID-19.

In 2023, a number of cities in Southern California have made their necessities for employees vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 a situation of employment, together with Lengthy Seaside, San Diego and Pasadena. Moreover, the Los Angeles County, Orange County and College of California programs, in addition to the Los Angeles Unified College District, have additionally ended that requirement.

Metropolis Information Service contributed to this report.