Pittsburgh denies covid vaccine exemptions to some cops citing religious reasons

Pittsburgh officials sent out letters denying some Pittsburgh police officers’ requests for religious exemptions to the city’s covid-19 vaccine mandate, according to the mayor’s office.

Maria Montaño, Mayor Ed Gainey’s spokesperson, confirmed that officers received the letters, but declined to comment on the specific contents of the message.

She did not say how many officers were impacted or when disciplinary actions may be taken.

“Final disciplinary actions are subject to ongoing effects bargaining and we are unable to comment on that aspect at this time,” Montaño said.

The city’s vaccine mandate was implemented under former Mayor Bill Peduto, who announced the executive order in November. His office said employees could request exemptions based on medical or religious grounds, though city officials retained the right to interview employees requesting such exemptions, along with their manager and a medical provider.

Under Peduto’s order, any employee who was granted an exemption would face weekly covid-19 testing.

The mandate applied to full- and part-time city employees.

The city began disciplining unvaccinated employees in December through a progressive discipline policy, though firefighters and police were not punished at that time as city officials were negotiating with their unions.

Gainey’s office in February announced that four city employees were fired for failing to comply with the vaccination requirement, though officials did not specify which departments they worked for. At that time, city officials said disciplinary measures were still not yet in effect for police or firefighters.