Judge rules against St. Paul employee vaccination mandate

Josh Skluzacek KSTP

FILE - A syringe is prepared with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic at the Keystone First Wellness Center in Chester, Pa., Dec. 15, 2021. A federal appeals court is being asked Monday, May 23, 2022, to reconsider its decision allowing the Biden administration to require that federal employees get vaccinated against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

The city of St. Paul’s mandate requiring city employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 can’t be enforced for unionized employees.

Ramsey County District Court Chief Judge Leonardo Castro invalidated the order on Thursday, saying the city’s policy violates fair labor law.

In October, the city announced that all city employees would be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021. It prompted lawsuits from several unions, including the St. Paul police and firefighters unions, which claimed that the mandate violated their collective bargaining agreements.

In December, a judge temporarily blocked the mandate and told the city and unions to keep negotiating.

Castro’s ruling permanently stops the city from implementing the policy until the city and unions reach a negotiated agreement on COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Kamal Baker, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s press secretary, issued the following statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS:

“The City is reviewing the court’s decision and is considering the best path forward to reduce the spread and severity of COVID-19 to ensure the safety of our employees and residents. We remain committed to our efforts to have a fully vaccinated workforce.”
Kamal Baker, press secretary for St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter