Santa Monica tries to intimidate employees with Vaccine Requirement

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employees and the public as it reopens services. Given a 500% increase in COVID-19 cases over the last month in LA County due to the Delta variant and the uniform recognition that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent transmission and limit COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, the City is considering implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for City employees similar to that in place in San Francisco. Under such a policy, the following would apply: Report their vaccination status to the City; and Be fully vaccinated and report that vaccination status to the City at some time after the Federal Food & Drug Administration gives final approval to at least one COVID-19 vaccine. The policy would be discussed and negotiated with our Bargaining groups before implementation. More information will follow as the City continues to consider such a policy. In the meantime, we will be working with leaders of our Bargaining groups to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. We hope staff will voluntarily get the COVID-19 vaccine, but we do want staff to be aware that requiring the vaccine as of the time of FDA approval is under serious consideration. As these discussions evolve, HR will continue to work with the City’s Bargaining groups and additional all staff updates will be provided. - John Jalili, Interim City Manager

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