The BMWED-IBT encourages all members to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at its earliest availability. As of Jan. 21, 14 BMWED members have died from the virus. The severity of the pandemic and its effect on our Brotherhood is verifiable and tragic.

That said, we do not believe that vaccination should be a mandatory requirement for employment on any railroad. The choice is the individual members. BMWED President Freddie N. Simpson will get his COVID-19 shot at his earliest opportunity and the entire Brotherhood is encouraged to do the same, but we disagree and will oppose any potential company requirement to get the vaccine.

While we insist that the railroads take strategic and swift steps to provide vaccine access to every BMWED member, and we urge all members to get their shots, we recognize that the choice is each member’s own. The Brotherhood strongly believes that mass vaccination across the membership will slow and prevent illness and death and we hope the vast majority will do so.