There was a major pushback Thursday night against the city's vaccine mandate for New York City public school
employees, which is slated to begin in four days.
The city is requiring all public-school staff to get their first dose of the covid-19 vaccine by Monday, but some are worried this requirement will create a teacher shortage.
This mandate applies not just to teachers, but to anyone who works in a public-school
building, including counselors, custodians, and cafeteria workers.
If the city keeps its deadline, these employees have just four days to
get their first shot.
On Wednesday, a state judge lifted the temporary restraining order for
the vaccine requirement saying the mandate can go on as planned.
Unlike other members of the workforce, educators cannot opt-out of the vaccine
with a weekly COVID-19 test.
Both the United Federation of Teachers and the Council of School Supervisors
& Administrators have said that schools are not ready to implement a
vaccine mandate in only a few days.
CSA President Mark Cannizzaro said in a statement that the Principal's Union
supports vaccinations but that requiring it will leave schools understaffed.
He says, "It
is dangerous and irresponsible for the city to move forward with its plan to
allow schools and centers to operate so severely understaffed. As a result, we
are calling on the city to delay the deadline for the mandate to allow the city
to develop a reasonable contingency plan."
Nevertheless, the Dept. of Education praised the ruling saying: "The vast majority of
employees have been vaccinated and the number will continue to rise over the
coming days. We administered 7,000 vaccinations on school campuses across the
city last week, hired thousands of new teachers and staff, and have a large reserve of qualified workers
who are ready to fill in if needed.”