871 Firefighters File Intent To Sue Over LA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
Hundreds of firefighters in Los Angeles have filed a notice of intent to sue the city over its public employee vaccine mandate.
The notice (pdf), filed on Oct. 7, said that the 871 firefighters is seeking $2.5 million each in damages.
“The claims will be filed in Superior Court as an unlimited civil case pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure,” Kevin McBride, attorney for the firefighters, wrote in the notice.
The L.A. city council in August issued an ordinance (pdf) requiring all city employees to have had a second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or a dose of the single-dose COVID19 vaccine by Oct. 5, unless they have a medical or religious exemption.
“The city’s goal is to have a vaccinated workforce. As such, employees will not have the option to ‘opt out’ of getting vaccinated and become subject to weekly testing,” the ordinance reads. The mayor’s office announced that exempt, unvaccinated employees would still be required to do regular testing for COVID-19.
McBride said in the notice of intent, citing orders given to the firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), that those not exempt or fully vaccinated by the “hard deadline” of Oct. 20 will be sent home for five days without pay, and if they still decide not to take the vaccine after another five days, their employment will be terminated. – READ MORE
Now what about LACOFD a much larger department? Get going lads. SFFD my former employer is a disgrace! 30 guys? Wake up gentlemen! That’s not the department I once knew and loved being a part of!