New York City’s largest police union sued the city on Monday to stop the implementation of a “draconian” COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The Police Benevolent Association, which represents 24,000 NYPD officers, filed the lawsuit on the day hundreds of demonstrators marched across the Brooklyn Bridge and to city hall in protest of the vaccine mandate, ordered by Mayor Bill De Blasio.
“The city has provided no explanation, much less a rational one, for the need to violate the autonomy and privacy of NYPD police officers in such a severe manner, on the threat of termination,” the PBA said in the suit filed in the state Supreme Court on Staten Island.
NYC EXTENDS VACCINE MANDATE TO ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, ELIMINATES TEST-OUT OPTION
The vaccine mandate requires city employees to show proof of vaccination or else be placed on unpaid leave. The mandate will go into effect Nov. 1.
“Every effort to stop the city’s vaccine mandates has failed in court,” New York’s Law Department said in response to the lawsuit, according to the Associated Press. “We believe this suit by the PBA will meet the same fate. The city’s vaccine mandates are lawful and keep New Yorkers safe. We’ll review the case.”
Previously, NYPD officers were able to opt out of the vaccine mandate by taking routine COVID-19 tests. However, De Blasio announced last week a new vaccine mandate for all city workers, which includes the police and firefighters, with more stringent requirements.
City employees will receive an extra $500 in their paycheck for receiving their first shot, De Blasio said in a press release, adding that this benefit will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, by which point city employees are required to have proof of at least one dose.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
School teachers and healthcare workers are already under vaccine mandates.
Approximately 46,000 city employees remain unvaccinated, according to The New York Times.
