CORONAVIRUS
Judge rejects challenge to Southwest’s vaccine mandate
Oct 27, 2021, 5:47 AM
FILE: A group of Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft sit on the tarmac at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on March 13, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The United States has followed countries around the world and has grounded all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft following the crash of an Ethiopia Airlines 737 Max 8. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge says Southwest Airlines is within its rights to require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The judge ruled this week against a request by the pilots’ union to issue a temporary restraining order against a vaccine mandate.
The judge says Southwest can impose a mandate to improve safety and maintain its operations.
Southwest is asking employees to get vaccinated or apply for a medical or religious exemption by Nov. 24.
But the airline has backed down from a threat to fire employees who don’t comply.
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