Story at a glance
- On Friday, Alaska Airlines said it would give $200 in discretionary spending to employees who provide proof of vaccination.
- It joins Delta Airlines and United Airlines in issuing new vaccine mandates and regulations as the travel industry still grapples with the pandemic.
- Unvaccinated Alaska Airlines employees will be required to submit to new testing procedures and take a mandatory vaccine education class.
Alaska Airlines became the latest air travel company to incentivize its staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19, announcing on Friday a new policy that gives $200 payments to staff who can provide proof of vaccination.
The company said that while 75 percent of employees between its Alaska and Horizon airlines have been vaccinated, officials want to edge closer to the 100-percent mark.
Employees who are fully vaccinated are eligible for $200 in discretionary bonus money. Alaska Airlines will also require new testing protocol for unvaccinated employees, including having them participate in a vaccination education program and halt any special COVID-19 pay if an unvaccinated employee contracts COVID-19.
“We believe having as many people as possible vaccinated is the best path for protection against COVID-19 and we will continue to strongly encourage our employees to be vaccinated,” the announcement reads.
Alaska Airlines follows the steps taken by Air Canada, Delta and United Airlines in adopting stricter COVID-19 prevention policies. Delta leadership took steps to tack on $200 to the health care plans of unvaccinated employees, while United was the first airline to mandate vaccinations for its staff.
Using cash rewards to promote vaccination has been widely adopted by municipal governments after President Biden recommended it as an incentivizing program. Other private companies have agreed to give additional perks and benefits to employees who get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The airline industry has suffered major losses thanks to the travel restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Airports have been linked to enhanced virus transmission, and the recent outbreaks of the delta variant have further shuttered most commercial travel.
Ahead of Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised Americans to remain at home and not travel amid surging infection rates.
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