Vax down to brass tacks
State softens stance a bit, readies for contingency as mandate deadline arrives
The Baker administration has blinked over the coronavirus vaccine mandate but is still bracing for the worst with a directive alerting plainclothes State Police to have their “complete field uniforms” ready if needed to do patrols.
The mandate takes effect Sunday, but an HR memo obtained by the Herald reads employees who have not received a shot should “report to work (Monday) on their regularly scheduled shift.”
Managers will then “confirm the status” of the employee if they have not filled out a self-attestation form, and will “initiate progressive discipline where required,” the memo says. Other administration letters state employees can use “paid leave accruals” to avoid losing any pay as they mull getting a jab, quitting or retiring.
The administration reports that as of early Friday, “44,000 employees in the Executive Departments have confirmed they are fully COVID-19 vaccinated or have sought religious or medical exemptions.”
A State Police memo tells troopers and staffers that if they applied for an exemption after Oct. 8 but have not heard back, they can also use accrued time off — comp time, vacation or personal days — “until a response is rendered.”
State Police employees can also continue to work until a decision is made on their exemption, but must “follow all guidelines for unvaccinated employees,” a memo states, including wearing a mask “at all times indoors” and socially distancing “when possible.”
If an exemption is denied, an employee has three days to get the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vax or the first jab of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine — and use accrued time off until they receive the second dose.
A State Police order, also obtained by the Herald, alerts plainclothes officers to have their uniforms at the ready now.
“Until further notice the appropriate and complete field uniform will be carried in … cruisers,” the memo states. “This isn’t a request. The job … needs to be in a ready-to-react posture should we be called upon to assist due to the COVID-19 related departures.”
The state Retirement Board reports an uptick in retirements, with 236 in June, 232 in July, 322 in August and 285 in September.
To date, the Retirement Board added, there have been 2,600 “new retirements/beneficiary payments initiated” this year. The average is 3,600 a year.
State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said Friday the agency is preparing for what may hit them Monday.
“The Massachusetts State Police continue to encourage personnel to comply with the requirement. If necessary due to non-compliance with Executive Order 595, the Department has plans in place to deploy personnel as needed to ensure continued police services and protection of public safety,” he said.
As for next steps for the unvaccinated, the Baker administration argue they are not blinking but rolling out “instructions for how the next part of the process will proceed.”
“Beginning Monday, managers/HR departments will be contacting individuals who have not filled out the attestation forms to find out why,” they added.
National Guard members are also on call to man the Department of Correction headquarters in Milford and help with testing at schools. Massport and the MBTA are also sticking to the Oct. 17 vaccine mandate.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been set up for a State Police sergeant in the ICU. It has still not been divulged what landed him in the hospital.