The Port of Seattle’s 2,200 workers will need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by Nov. 15 to remain employed by the port, it was announced Wednesday.
The port’s human resources department will check every employee’s vaccination status in-person at port worksites. Some religious or medical exemptions may be considered while “impacts for represented groups will be bargained,” according to the port.
The move follows suit with similar mandates made by national, state and regional governments, the port said, adding that safe operations at the port are vital to keeping the major economic generator for the state and regional moving.
“Right now we are not seeing the level of vaccinations that will curb the spread of the disease and mitigate its deadly impacts,” said Port Executive Director Steve Metruck. “We are committed to taking every step necessary to stop the spread of COVID. We owe it to ourselves, our families, the most vulnerable who cannot receive the vaccine, and our community.”
