Bulletin 25-21 MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINE & EXEMPTION REQUEST UPDATE

Bulletin 25-21
September 2, 2021

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine & Exemption Request Update

Local 112 Members:

As you know, on August 18 the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 187134, COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for All Current and Future City Employees, requiring all city employees to receive one of the three available coronavirus vaccines. The ordinance went into effect on August 25 and UFLAC continues to oppose a mandatory vaccination policy as a condition of employment.

Pursuant to Ordinance 187134, all current and future City employees shall have the right to petition for a medical or religious exemption from the mandatory vaccination requirement to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, consistent with City procedures for reasonable accommodation requests.

If you intend to file a request for a medical or religious exemption, you must submit the “Intent to File a COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form” no later than September 7, 2021. Specific forms and procedures are currently in development. If you intend to file for a medical or religious exemption to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination pursuant to Ordinance 187134, please complete the Intent to File COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form no later than the close of business on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Please contact your LAFD Human Resources representative at (323) 283-3933 if you are unable to fill out the online form.

You are not obligated to file an exemption if you fill out the Intent to File COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form should you change your mind, but it allows you to complete the process as soon as procedures and forms are established. You will be contacted soon with details about how to complete your exemption application for final review and approval. If you are on vacation or on an approved leave of absence, you must file your Intent to File Exemption Form prior to your return to work.

We want for our members to know that the UFLAC Negotiating Committee is actively participating in the meet & confer process with the City of Los Angeles to discuss the impact of this mandate. We are at the table along with representatives from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Coalition of LA City Unions, and other city employee labor leaders.

We know that this is an issue that our members feel passionately about. UFLAC consists of nearly 3,400 firefighters who have very personal feelings on all sides of this debate. We represent all of our members and are working on your behalf every single day. In the meantime, let’s stand united as professionals on the job serving the City of Los Angeles. There are clear limitations to what we can and cannot do while in uniform. Do not give anyone a reason to put a target on your back or to come after your brothers and sisters in the LAFD.

We will continue to keep you updated with additional information as it develops.

In Solidarity,
UFLAC Negotiating Committee