Pittsburgh police union file grievance over covid vaccine mandate

The union representing Pittsburgh police officers on Friday said it plans to file a grievance with the city and an unfair labor complaint with the Labor Relations Board in response to a mandate requiring all city employees receive a covid-19 vaccine.

“The city has unilaterally imposed a vaccine mandate without bargaining and without notice,” said Bob Swartzwelder, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1.

The mandate, announced Monday by Mayor Bill Peduto, poses two problems, Swartzwelder said: One is contractual and the other is a matter of labor law. He said the grievance was to be filed Friday, and the unfair labor practice complaint should be filed within the next week.

“You have to bargain over any change to working conditions,” he said. “The grievance is: you implemented a policy without the required 15-day notice or our right to intervene and meet and discuss.”

The union representing Pittsburgh firefighters filed a similar contract-related grievance earlier this week.

Pittsburgh and Public Safety officials declined to comment Friday, citing legal matters.

Three Pittsburgh police officers have died from covid-related complications over the past six weeks: Officer Brian Rowland, Sgt. Richard Howe and Sgt. Timothy Werner.

Peduto has said the vaccine requirement stems from a “responsibility to act collectively to protect both our employees and the public.”

City employees must be vaccinated by Dec. 22 or they could face penalties “including unpaid leave and/or discipline up to and including termination until they show proof of vaccination.”

Swartzwelder said union officials have encouraged members to speak with their doctors to “determine the best course of action for themselves and their family.”

“I’m pro-vaccine, but I’m anti-mandate,” he said.

The mandate allows for medical and religious exemptions which, according to the executive order, should be submitted for evaluation by the Department of Human Resources. That evaluation could include “an interview with the requesting employee and management of the employee’s department” and seeking “an interview or opinion of a medical provider as permitted under applicable low.”

Swartzwelder said the union plans to ask for an expedited process because of how near the deadline is. Failing that, he said, the union could file a preliminary injunction with the courts.

The union representing Allegheny County Police officers filed an injunction last month after a similar mandate came down for all county employees.