De Blasio Threatens To Withhold NYPD Wages If Cops Defy 'Vax-Or-Test' Order
New York City will withhold paychecks to NYPD employees who refuse to get vaccinated or submit to weekly coronavirus tests, setting off a potential legal battle between Mayor Bill de Blasio and the city's police unions.De Blasio made the statement on Thursday, promising that if cops do not abide by the directive, which takes full effect on Monday, "eventually they’re not going to be paid." "That's been clear for quite a while," the mayor said. "But we feel confident that we're going to have adherence and that we can make adjustments if there's any issues."
The pledge comes as vaccination rates among city workers, particularly uniformed service agencies and first responders, continue to lag behind the population they serve. As of this week, just 53% of NYPD employees have received one dose of the vaccine, compared to 79% of adults citywide. The mayor's office announced the vax-or-test rule for all city employees back in late July.
On Wednesday, police department leaders circulated an internal memo reminding unvaccinated employees that they must receive a weekly PCR test starting on September 13th, in line with the mayor's executive order. It will be the employees' responsibility to get tested outside of work hours. All four of the city's police unions have vowed to mount a legal challenge against the new mandate.
New York's largest law enforcement union, the Police Benevolent Association, has threatened to sue the city. In a letter sent to members, PBA President Pat Lynch described the vaccine as a "personal medical decision that each member must make in consultation with his or her own doctor."
But civil liberties advocates and legal experts argue that vaccine mandates are well within the legal rights of local governments.
https://gothamist.com/news/de-blasio-threatens-withhold-nypd-wages-if-cops-defy-vax-or-test-order
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