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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Three unions representing first responders are suing the City of Boston over Mayor Michelle Wu's vaccine mandate for city workers.
The Boston Police Superior Officers Federation, Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, and Boston Firefighters Local 718 are all filing temporary restraining orders on the mandate. The Boston Police Patrolman's Association is not suing the city, but a spokesperson said the union plans to meet with Mayor Wu next week to discuss the mandate.
Mayor Wu's new vaccine plan requires all city employees to have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine by Jan. 15 and get the second dose by Feb. 15, unless the employee is given a medical or religious exemption. A previous vaccine requirement allowed unvaccinated workers to submit to weekly testing, but the new requirement does not include a testing option.
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The three unions are suing to maintain this weekly testing option for unvaccinated employees. In a statement, a spokesperson from the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation said the organization's suit is not about science or politics, but rather holding elected officials to their word.
"Throughout this pandemic, the City's first responders, who are already critically understaffed, have tirelessly answered calls for help without hesitation," the statement reads. "These brave men and women deserve fair treatment by our Mayor, which includes her recognizing and upholding the still-fresh agreement."
WBZ's Karyn Regal (@karynregal) reports.
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