Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said Monday that a “few hundred” state workers face suspension over not complying with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The order noted that Executive Department employees who are not vaccinated or approved for an exemption as of Oct. 17 will be “subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”
As of last week, at least 362 executive branch workers were placed on a five or 10-day suspension for failing to show proof of vaccination or an approved exemption, according to the Baker administration.
Another 141 workers quit over the state’s vaccine mandate. In total, more than 500 workers have been impacted.
“But I think at this point the thing we’re most pleased about is the fact that so many people went out and got vaccinated after we put the requirement in place,” he added.
The Executive Department employees were not alone among those suspended or losing jobs in the state over COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The state police union filed the lawsuit against the Commonwealth, seeking an injunctive relief prohibiting the state from implementing its vaccine mandate without bargaining with the union.
“Throughout COVID, we have been on the front lines protecting the citizens of Massachusetts and beyond,” he said. “Simply put, all we are asking for are the same basic accommodations that countless other departments have provided to their first responders, and to treat a COVID-related illness as a line of duty injury.”
