Many truck drivers seem to be exempt from the recent mandate of the federal government that forces any companies with more than 100 employees to require workers to get vaccinated or they must submit to mandated masking and weekly tests for COVID-19.
Navigating Legal Challenges
A federal appeals court issued a stay of the requirement for getting vaccinated by citing constitutional issues with the decision that's been widely criticized by many people working in the trucking industry.
According to Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, most truck drivers are exempt from the vaccine mandate due to them working alone.
Rules on Vaccine Mandate Exemptions
Truckers also wouldn't be required to follow this mandate if they work exclusively outdoors while not interacting with other people at drop-off or pick-up locations.
However, drivers that interact with people at these sites or a team of drivers wouldn't be exempt from the vaccine mandate.
Resistance in the Trucking Industry
Only time will tell if the vaccine mandate will be approved by the courts, as the shortage of truck drivers will most likely only get worse due to many drivers saying they will quit or get fired before being forced to get vaccinated.
Finding a way to avoid these challenges is essential in keeping truck drivers on the road, as they play a vital role in delivering essential goods.
The American Trucking Association (ATA) was highly critical of Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), as they believe that the organization failed to weigh all options and consider the risks of applying a vaccine mandate across entire industries. As a result, the ATA is considering all options for responding to this vaccine mandate.
Facing an Uncertain Future
The vaccine mandate faces many legal challenges that need to be resolved before it's implemented. However, the vast majority of truck drivers will not be impacted by this mandate due to them working alone or exclusively outdoors. Keeping up with the latest news involving the vaccine mandate is important due to the evolving nature of this matter.
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