NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The city's Police Benevolent Association and the NYPD's commissioner made different kinds of last-second efforts Thursday ahead of Friday's vaccine mandate deadline.
The PBA filed an appeal a day after a Staten Island judge ruled that the mandate could take effect as scheduled for municipal workers following arguments posed by PBA lawyers.
The mandate offers a deadline of Friday at 5 p.m. for cops and other municipal workers like firefighters to get at least their first COVID-19 shot. Enforcement will begin Monday.
"We have now filed our appeal of that decision with the state Appellate Division, Second Department. We have requested an emergency hearing and argument on our appeal," PBA President Patrick Lynch said in a statement Thursday.
Lynch said Wednesday’s ruling "sets the city up for a real crisis," and the mandate has "created chaos in the NYPD." Lynch also accused City Hall of not keeping a testing option for city workers.
Lynch continued his attack on the mandate Thursday, saying, "The NYPD has yet to announce any detailed plans to address the possible staffing shortage, and it still hasn’t published its own policies to implement the mandate."
Firefighter unions protested the mandate outside of Gracie Mansion Thursday, while other unions also criticized the process, including Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong, who said, "Mayor de Blasio’s mandate is 'Defund the Police' in disguise."
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NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea made a last-second plea to members to get vaccinated in a video to the department.
“On Monday when this thing really starts being enforced we’re going to check your vaccination status and if you’re not vaccinated you will get no pay and you’re going to be not able to work,” Shea said. “I don’t think anyone wants that to happen. I’m sure you don’t want that to happen. I certainly don’t.” said Shea. “We need you out there.”
Shea said vaccination opportunities will be open throughout the weekend for those in need of a shot just ahead of mandate enforcement Monday.
The NYPD’s vaccination figures were at about 76% as of Thursday morning, according to the New York Daily News.
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