New York City police union files lawsuit against mayor to block vaccine mandate News
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New York City police union files lawsuit against mayor to block vaccine mandate

The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (NYC PBA) announced Monday that it filed a lawsuit seeking to enjoin Mayor Bill de Blasio from enforcing his recent vaccine mandate for municipal workers. Additionally, the NYC PBA shared that it filed a request for a temporary restraining order to prevent the mandate from being enforced while the lawsuit is pending.

Mayor de Blasio announced the Vaccine Mandate for New York City’s Workforce last week, providing city employees with less than two weeks of notice to submit proof of vaccination. De Blasio’s vaccine mandate requires all city workers to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 5pm this upcoming Friday. City employees who submit proof of vaccination before then will receive a $500 bonus. The mandate also provides that unvaccinated employees are subject to unpaid leave until they submit proof of vaccination.

According to the NYC PBA’s website, the NYC PBA is the largest municipal police union in the world, representing about 24,000 sworn NYPD officers. This labor union “seeks to protect and advance its members rights and interests.” To that end, it negotiates contracts, ensures fair treatment, administers health and welfare benefits, and provides legal representation for its members.

PBA President Patrick J. Lynch released a statement on the vaccine mandate:

From the beginning of the de Blasio administration‘s haphazard vaccine rollout, we fought to make the vaccine available to every member who chooses it, while also protecting their right to make that personal medical decision in consultation with their own doctor. Now that the city has moved to unilaterally impose a mandate, we will proceed with legal action to protect our members’ rights.

Last month the Second Circuit allowed a New York City teacher vaccine mandate to proceed, dissolving a temporary injunction on the mandate. Consequently, all teachers must receive a COVID-19 vaccine. De Blasio’s latest mandate applies to all remaining City workers except uniformed correction officers.