“MAPE and our labor partners see ways this policy can be improved,” she said, continuing with a list of questions “that need to be answered” before the mandate takes effect.Īmong them: “Will unvaccinated employees be tested onsite during their regular work day? How will testing locations differ for employees in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota? What happens to people who cannot get the vaccine? How can telework play a role in keeping everyone safe?” At least some union officers on Tuesday expressed their personal view on social media supporting the idea, but a statement by Megan Dayton, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, carefully raised questions without stating support or opposition.ĭayton’s one-page statement notes that the list of those requiring vaccines is growing and states: “The majority of Minnesotans are already vaccinated so they agree.”ĭayton said MAPE and other labor unions began discussing the mandate with state government managers Wednesday morning. It wasn’t immediately clear how state employees, or the unions that represent them, might respond to the order. Together, we’ve guided our state through one of the most difficult periods of our history, leading by example at every turn. Now, we’re asking you to be leaders once again.” HOW WILL WORKERS REACT? “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesotans have turned to you, as state agency employees, to be leaders. With this action, we’re joining businesses and colleges across the state who have taken this important step, and I urge other employers to do the same.” “The state is leading by example and working to get our public employees vaccinated to protect themselves, their co-workers, and their communities. “Vaccination is the best way to keep employees and the people we serve safe and ensure the Delta variant does not derail our economic recovery,” Walz said in a statement Wednesday. In his announcement, which covers all “state agency employees,” Walz listed numerous hospital networks, institutions such as colleges and universities, and major employers such as Tyson Foods, Microsoft, United Airlines and Disney as among those that have also instituted COVID-19 vaccine mandates. New York, Virginia and Puerto Rico are among those that have instituted similar mandates, and President Joe Biden recently instituted those orders for all federal employees. The move puts Minnesota on a growing list of American governments requiring workers to be vaccinated or provide regular negative test results before showing up in a workspace where others are present. The order affects the bulk of the state’s 37,500 employees, although it does not apply to employees of state courts or the Legislature. The deadline for affected workers is Sept. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced all state employees will be required to show proof of coronavirus vaccination before returning to the workplace, or face regular testing.
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