NBC News: “More than 2,000 New York City firefighters have taken medical leave in the past week as unvaccinated municipal workers face the start of sanctions Monday. Frank Dwyer, deputy commissioner of the New York City Fire Department, said by email that the number of firefighters on medical leave was “very unusual.” The department employs roughly 11,000 firefighters.
“Some first responders in the U.S. have been relatively resistant to employers’ Covid-19 vaccination mandates, with some saying they would rather lose their jobs than lose their sense of freedom over having to be inoculated.
“Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro suggested in a statement Sunday that firefighters who participated in the apparent sickout were neglecting their oaths, which commit them to ‘faithfully discharge the duties’ of their jobs. Those who do not meet the vaccination requirement have been threatened with unpaid leave starting Monday. ‘Irresponsible bogus sick leave by some of our members is creating a danger for New Yorkers and their fellow Firefighters,’ Nigro said. ‘They need to return to work or risk the consequences of their actions.’