Hundreds of Los Angeles County firefighters are banding together over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate—and suing L.A. County for implementing it.
The group alleges that the mandate violates their’ “constitutionally protected autonomous privacy rights,” and filed the suit Wednesday in the L.A. Superior Court, on behalf of the L.A. County Free Foundation, a nonprofit representing hundreds of firefighters.
The county vaccine mandate, which requires full proof of vaccination, went into effect on Oct. 1. Employees had about two months to comply, following the order announcement by the Board of Supervisors back in August.
Non-compliant employees are subject to disciplinary action, which could include termination. The mandate applies to all county employees, including firefighters, medical workers, sheriff’s deputies and social workers.
The suit states the order “entirely overlooked” constitutional rights that all firefighters should be afforded, Pasadena Now reported, and “the county Board of Supervisors has failed to consider and account for this constitutional right in the process of adopting its county vaccination order and vaccination policy.”
The lawsuit, filed by nearly 600 firefighters, also asks that a judge direct that there be no discrimination or retaliation against those firefighters who choose to not get vaccinated.
This isn’t the first time L.A. employees have spoken out against a vaccine requirement. This week, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the county’s vaccine mandate was an “imminent threat to public safety” because many deputies were willing to quit or retire over it, leaving the streets without patrols.
Earlier this year, L.A. City Fire Captain Christian Granucci called the mandate by the city “tyranny.” Not long after, a group of city firefighters filed a notice of intent to sue the city, according to KTLA.
Follow KNX 1070 Newsradio
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Related
Related
