The vaccination mandate eliminates the requirement for agency testing protocols in the administration’s prior directive requiring agencies to have their employees attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status or be subject to COVID-19 testing requirements and other safety protocols. (See, 8/9/21 and 8/12/21 chapter presidents’ memoranda.) However, agencies may still elect to implement testing protocols for unvaccinated individuals. This includes employees who request a medical or religious exception from the vaccination requirement.

The mandatory vaccine guidance issued by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force indicates that the decision to mandate vaccinations and substantive policy (e.g., the required to be fully vaccinated no later than November 22, 2021) are not issues we can bargain over. However, we can bargain over procedures and appropriate arrangements to the extent they are not covered by the guidance or the parties’ collective bargaining agreement. Shortly, I will appoint a bargaining team for the negotiations. We are in the process of scheduling the briefing with the IRS.