Texas’ biggest companies react to Biden’s vaccine mandate
On top of mandated vaccines, Biden’s plan says employees must also undergo required testing at companies with more than 100 workers.
Implementing these policies may prove difficult for Texas companies due to Gov. Greg Abbott’s tenacious means to block any COVID-related mandates with executive orders.
Most companies are in a holding pattern, like San Antonio-based banking and financial services giants USAA and Frost Bank. Christian Bove, USAA spokesperson, says the company is “waiting for more details” from the administration, which will come by way of the U.S. Department of Labor.
In March 2021, USAA indefinitely delayed return to office plans in favor of a remote-hybrid model. Bove says USAA currently has more than 36,000 employees across Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Florida and Virginia.
Bove says USAA will review the requirements once issued, and continue to prioritize employee safety. Frost spokesperson Bill Day echoed the wait-and-see sentiment.
Frost Bank waits on more instructions from the administration.
William Luther, Staff / Staff
“As we understand it, OSHA is still developing the rule, so we aren’t able to discuss it yet. In general, we have encouraged employees to get vaccinated,” Day says.
Southwest Research Institute, the Alamo City-based research organization, is also monitoring the situations and will review the requirements once issued, says SwRI spokesperson Maria Stothoff.
She adds that the company will “comply with government requirements” as they apply.
The Washington Post reported that companies could face fines of up to $14,000 per violation. Most companies have yet to respond to this point, but SwRI staff is ahead of the game in terms of fully vaccinated employees.
“Our efforts to encourage, incentivize, and provide vaccines for our staff have been successful,” Stothoff says. “Over 88% of our staff report being fully vaccinated.”
American Airlines, the DFW-based airline with more than 130,000 employees, is reviewing the executive order. Chairman and CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom expect American Airlines will be affected by the mandates.
The company has implemented a vaccine incentive program that gives fully vaccinated employees $50 and an extra vacation day. American Airlines also ended COVID leave for unvaccinated employees.
Although not explicitly stated, Texas could be waiting for Attorney General Ken Paxton to make a move. He tweeted today that Texas will be “suing this disastrous admin very soon.”
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