Our Story Episode III
Our next story is shared by an aircraft mechanic who dedicated over 25 years of his life in service to United Airlines. It is our pleasure to introduce you to our plaintiff, John. In his own words, this is his story.
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is John, and I am an Airline Aircraft Mechanic and Aviation Line Maintenance Technician at United Airlines. I am based at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). I have over 25 years with the company. I am also a plaintiff in this lawsuit against United Airlines because I believe that they took adverse work action against me because of my religious convictions. Also, I think that UAL should be held accountable for illegally mandating an experimental medical product, the covid vaccine.
My story is similar to many others’ stories. We all endured the same sorts of treatment by UAL. All these stories are significant, and it is important that what was done to us is not forgotten. It is a story of discrimination, unnecessary stress, the erosion of my rights as an employee, and an attempt to de-humanize me during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is my recollection of events, to the best of my ability, and I share it in the hope that it will shed light on the injustices faced by many during this time.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the world was thrown into chaos. Like many others, I was uncertain about what the future held. People were scared because we had not experienced anything like this before. Employees across the country were encouraged to stay home unless they were labeled an “essential worker.” Because of my expertise and experience, in early 2020, United labeled me as an essential worker. Throughout the height of the fear and pandemic speculations, I continued to work, ensuring that the aircraft I worked on were safe and operational. Despite the fears, I did my job as I always had for United, before and throughout the entire pandemic, on the line as a mechanic, but with the new stresses regarding the covid virus.
As the pandemic progressed, there were discussions about new types of vaccines many were hopeful about. In August of 2021 United Airlines introduced a vaccine mandate, requiring all employees to be vaccinated with one of the experimental vaccines. If we were opposed to taking the experimental drug, we were told to seek an accommodation through either medical or religious reasons, or face termination of employment. I was surprised that the company I had loyally served for over 25 years would so unapologetically announce intentions to discard me because of this new policy.
It became known that the vaccines used a technology that manipulates the genetic structure of our bodies. I don’t think we should be messing with God’s design like that, so I chose to apply for a religious exemption, instead of taking the chance on a so- called vaccine that changed us genetically, and that has not gone through extensive testing. The Reasonable Accommodation Process (RAP) at United was quite a task and the uncertainty of approval was not a for-sure thing. As a matter of fact, our CEO Scott Kirby, said being approved for a religious exemption would be difficult in a statement where he said something like, [people that somehow all of a sudden become all religious would be putting their jobs on the line.] Ultimately, I was approved after jumping through many hoops, including providing a type of affidavit from a friend attesting to my religiosity. My approval wasn’t granted until only a few days before the company deadline. However, this approval came with a heavy cost.
I was informed that because of my religious exemption, I would be placed on unpaid leave of absence (ULA) for an indefinite period - up to six months or more, with no benefits no medical, dental, or other company-provided support. This was a shocking measure from a company that prides itself on its Core 4 values; Safe, Caring, Dependable, and Efficient. Ironically, now their motto is “good leads the way.”
Additionally, I learned that I would not accumulate any company seniority while I was on ULA. This decision by United Airlines placed an enormous financial and emotional burden on my family and me. I was basically being fired in place, without discussing the accommodation, against my will after working all through the pandemic. What seemed illogical was that I was okay to work right up to the arbitrary date the company chose, but somehow restricted from earning an income for my family the next day.
The prospect of losing our only source of income for an indefinite period created a highly stressful situation for my family and myself. My wife and I argued frequently about whether I should just give in and get vaccinated with an experimental shot, all while wondering what we are going to do for income. Nothing was certain as it looked like more companies would implement policies like United. I did not want to be a guinea pig for an experimental drug, but the company’s policies left me with only a few viable alternatives. The mental anguish extended to our children, who could sense the tension and uncertainty in our household. Further, it was humiliating for me to be thrown-away like trash after all the years and hard and loyal work I had done for United.
The stress was compounded by the fact that I was forced to begin searching for new employment. I loved my job at United Airlines, but the company’s actions made me feel demoralized, unwanted, and isolated. I was faced with the possibility of uprooting my family and moving to find new work, all because I chose to exercise my right to refuse an experimental vaccine that I was not comfortable taking because of my religious convictions.
The company’s policies not only affected my family life but also created a hostile work environment. I was harassed by some of my co-workers, who labeled me as an “anti-vaxer” and challenged my decision to seek a religious exemption. One incident stands out in particular. During a morning briefing in early September 2021, (even before the company deadline) a co-worker approached me and asked why I was so opposed to being vaccinated. My response was simple: I believe in the freedom to choose what goes into my body, and I questioned why the company felt it had the right to act as my doctor. What happened to HIPAA laws, my constitutional rights, my religious convictions, and my civil liberties? By the way, asking someone about their personal medical situation was a strict “no, no” at United. I immediately reported this incident to my supervisors, suggesting that employees should be briefed on the importance of respecting one another’s choices to avoid creating a hostile work environment. I also filed a written complaint with my shift manager, who directed me to contact Human Resources (HR.) When I reached out to HR, I was met with silence. Days later, I was told to file a complaint with the Ethics and Compliance Department via an online form. I did so, but nothing came out of it. It became clear that the company had no intention of addressing the concerns of an “anti-vaxer.”
As the company deadline for my Reasonable Accommodation Process (RAP) approached, I filed a grievance with my union, the Teamsters, alleging discrimination. I had hoped that the union, who claimed to fight for all employees against company tyranny, would stand-up for me. To my dismay, the grievance was denied. The union, which was supposed to represent and protect me, failed to fight on my behalf. I was advised by my union representative to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). I went through the entire process, only to be told that the EEOC would not take any action whatsoever with regard to covid mandates, other than to issue a “Right to Sue” letter. It seemed that everyone was lockstep with pandemic agenda.
These responses were dismissive and disheartening. How was I going to be able to afford lawyers to go against a Goliath company like United? Thats when I happened to find this group who was on a mission to hold United accountable.
So, while I was at home looking for new employment in case I was dismissed, at the last moment, United changed their policy. Instead of being put on unpaid leave of absence, my “religious accommodation” was that I was required to return to work like nothing ever happened. However, there were “conditions.” There were requirements that “un-vaccinated employees” had to accomplish or perform that “vaccinated employees” did not.
Even though I was able to work, I was subjected to additional burdens that further highlighted the inequitable discrimination of the company’s policies. I was forced to wear an N95 mask at all times despite never being properly fitted for one, as required by OSHA regulations. Being required to wear the mask made me feel as if I were a Jew during Nazi Germany, branding me and singling me out as if I had the plague or was a second class citizen, alongside many of my colleagues, who chose to follow along with this egregious illegal mandate, that weren’t wearing masks. I was required to undergo COVID-19 testing twice a week to maintain compliance with the RAP. These requirements were imposed solely on unvaccinated employees like myself, creating a clear divide between us and our vaccinated colleagues.
The discrimination extended to my work assignments as well. I was denied the opportunity to participate in three Emergency Field Services (EFS). These EFS’s were Military charter flights to Germany to assist with the evacuation of Afghan refugees. This decision was particularly baffling, as the refugees themselves were not vaccinated. The companies actions cost my family an estimated $10,000 to $15,000 in lost income, further exacerbating the financial strain we were already under.
To top it off most of those unvaccinated Afghan Refugees ended up in our hangar here at Dulles Airport for two weeks as temporary shelter, but I had to wear a mask. The hostile work environment persisted throughout my time on the RAP. On one occasion, I was discussing the need for coffee cups in the break room with my Shift Manager. He was not wearing a mask, and when I followed him to the supply room, we were confronted by our Administration Manager. She singled me out, pointing out that my mask was not properly fitted on my face. I reminded her that United never provided me with a proper fitting, as required by OSHA regulations. This incident left me feeling humiliated and singled out.
Throughout this ordeal, I have done my best to comply with United Airlines policies, even as they have caused me significant hardship. All I have ever wanted is to just go to work, do my job, provide for my family, and live my life without unnecessary interferences. Unfortunately, the world we live in seems to be designed as such to keep us distracted, stressed, and living paycheck to paycheck, making it difficult to fight back against a corporate giant like United Airlines. United reached into my religious convictions, my life, my family, my home, and even my medical privacy and caused significant interferences, and I believe they did it on purpose and after calculated consideration to increase my discomfort.
I share my story in the hope that it will serve as an eye-opener for those who read it. The discrimination and harassment I faced during the pandemic was just a small part and were not isolated incidents. They were part of a broader pattern of injustices that affected countless employees. I hope that my testimony, along with those of my fellow plaintiffs, will lead to meaningful change and accountability. No one should have to endure what I and so many others have gone through.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope it will contribute to our pursuit of justice.
Sincerely,
John