Police unions urge judges to block vaccine mandate for jail guards

A New Jersey appellate panel heard arguments Wednesday on a challenge to Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent executive order mandating vaccines for state and county correctional officers.

Officers’ unions called the mandate “government overreach” that will cause unvaccinated officers irreparable harm by requiring them to get jabbed or lose their jobs, while the state insisted the requirement is a life-saving necessity to stop the virus’ out-of-control spread behind bars.

The three Superior Court judges did not make a decision after the two-hour hearing at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton but promised to act soon.

Several unions — led by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association — have asked the court to block Murphy’s mandate, which applies to about 11,000 correctional officers at state prisons and county jails statewide. The mandate requires unvaccinated staff to get a first shot by Feb. 16 and be fully vaccinated by March 30. Those who remain unvaccinated face termination, according to court testimony.

Read more: https://newjerseymonitor.com/2022/02/08/police-unions-urge-judges-to-block-vaccine-mandate-for-jail-guards/