Court Halts Boston's Vaccine Mandate For Some City Workers

BOSTON — A Massachusetts Appeals Court issued a temporary stay on Boston's vaccine mandate Thursday, preventing the city from enforcing the policy until the court rules on an appeal filed by three public safety unions.

The vaccine mandate Boston Mayor Michelle Wu put into place was expected to go into effect Monday after it was pushed back twice. The original deadline for vaccination proof was Jan. 15.

Thursday's ruling by Associate Justice Sabita Singh overturns a lower court's denial of a request by the Boston Firefighters Union Local 718, the Boston Police Superior Officer Federation, and the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society for a temporary injunction earlier this month. The stay, however, only covers workers represented by the unions.

"The City now, per the court order, will not be able to enforce the mandate against firefighters, police supervisors or detectives until our appeal has been heard and decided on," The Boston Police Superior Officers Federation said in a statement after the ruling. "We invite the Mayor, in a show of good faith, to hold off applying the mandate as to teachers and patrol officers given ongoing labor concerns."

The Boston Police Patrolman's Association also voted Wednesday against an agreement with the city which would have created mental health benefits and wellness days for vaccinated officers, but remove the option of weekly testing for unvaccinated workers.

"Over the past few months, Mayor Wu has undermined collective bargaining and the labor rights of so many city workers. This has never been an anti-vaccine issue," the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation said in a statement. "Mayor Wu ignored written agreements and refused to meet with unions in good faith. The unions never espoused any anti-vaccine sentiments or conspiracy theories. We voiced labor concerns."

Wu has remained firm on her stance of a vaccine requirement despite the pushback.

"The goal of this was not to punish anyone for how they might feel about vaccination but to ensure that our city workers are safe and that any resident interacting with our city workforce is safe," Wu said Monday afternoon during an appearance on WBUR's "Radio Boston."

As of 2 p.m. Sunday, 18,265 employees have already been vaccinated, Wu said.

Boston Firefighters Union Local 718 is expected to address the judge's ruling at 4:00 p.m. Monday.