Res 0005-2024

Whereas, On October 20, 2021, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination mandate for all New York City (City) employees, supported by an Order of the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH); and Whereas, Failure by City employees to comply with this Order resulted in their termination; and Whereas, On February 11, 2022, the City terminated approximately 1,780 City employees due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination order at a time when New Yorkers were deeply dependent on City services; and Whereas, These hardworking employees, who were praised for keeping the City running during the pandemic, were unceremoniously terminated, which negatively impacted them and the families for whom they provided; and Whereas, Mayor Eric Adams announced that beginning February 10, 2023, the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for current and prospective City workers would be optional; and Whereas, However, these public servants were not automatically permitted to return to their jobs; and Whereas, Former employees were forced to reapply to their positions and were only rehired by their former agencies if they agreed to waive claims to backpay and other entitlements; and Whereas, Many employees did not return to work because they refused to sign the waiver; and Whereas, S.7466-A, sponsored by New York State Senator Adam Lanza, would automatically reinstate City employees who were dismissed for failure to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement; and Whereas, If adopted, S.7466-A would require reinstatement of these former employees to their former positions, former titles, and at the same salary and benefits, with retention of seniority and service time accrued; and Whereas, S.7466-A would also exempt any employee seeking reinstatement from signing a waiver that denies them backpay; and Whereas, S.7466-A seeks to provide fairness to terminated workers, allowing them to return to their former jobs serving our City; now, therefore be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.7466-A, and a companion bill, to reinstate New York City employees who were terminated due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Session 12 KK LS 7964,15837 4/7/22 Session 13 EA LS 7964,15837 3/12/24 2