Only 6 of United's 13,000 pilots were fired for failing to meet the airline's vaccine mandate
United Airlines fired only six of its pilots for failing to get vaccinated and submit documentation to the airline, CEO Scott Kirby revealed on Wednesday.
About 80 of the airline's pilots were approved for exemptions to the airline's vaccine mandate, either religious or medical, and were placed on unpaid leave, Kirby added. The airline has about 13,000 pilots on staff.
Kirby's comments came during an appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee, during a hearing on the federal Payroll Support Program that was implemented at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The figures were cited in response to questions from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accusing United of mistreating employees by enforcing the mandate.
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United required all of its 67,000 U.S. employees to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 27, or to apply for a religious or medical-based exemption. The day following the deadline, United said that less than 3% applied for those exemptions, while more than 99% of the remaining employees met the deadline.
As of Sept. 28, 593 employees had failed to either get vaccinated and submit documentation, or apply for an exemption, leaving them subject to termination. It was not immediately clear on Wednesday how many of those employees subsequently met the requirements, nor how many were fired.
Employees who were approved for exemptions were placed on unpaid leave. That included about 2,000 employees, some of whom were able to find non-customer facing roles to do in the meantime.
United's mandate was separate from a requirement issued by the Biden Administration that all federal contractors — including most major U.S. airlines — ensure that all employees are fully vaccinated.
United's mandate, and subsequent requirements from other carriers — typically with looser exemption policies — led to pushback from some pilots' labor unions and political pundits who accused airlines and the government of violating personal liberties.
More: United doubles down on vaccine requirement with stringent policy for religious exemptions
"We did this for safety, we believe it saves lives," Kirby said in response to the questions on Wednesday. "That's my No. 1 obligation, is safety."
"I made the decision for United that getting everyone vaccinated would save lives and would create a safer environment for all the other workers."
During the hearing, lawmakers, airline executives and others vociferously defended the Payroll Support Program, unanimously arguing that the aid was crucial to carrying airlines through the worst of the pandemic.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who led the hearing, said that the aid was critical, and the program to implement it was largely successful.
"The relief saved 386,200 direct, full-time U.S. passenger airline jobs, approximately 85% of the pre-pandemic workforce," Cantwell said. The program "ensured that the national system of air transportation network remained open for business."
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.