The Steamship Authority will begin requiring its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Starting today, all SSA staff must prove they have had at least one dose of the vaccine and meet the CDC’s definition of being fully vaccinated by February 16 or be subject to progressive discipline up to termination of employment.
The new policy has been in the works for months, said Steamship Authority communications director Sean Driscoll, and the boat line has held several vaccination clinics for staff. To further encourage its employees to get vaccinated, the Steamship Authority is providing an incentive of up to $500 per staff member to get the shot.
“Protecting the health and safety of our employees and customers is a critical priority as we continue to be affected by the pandemic and emerging variants of COVID-19,” said Steamship Authority General Manager Robert B. Davis. “It is imperative that all employees be vaccinated to help halt the spread of COVID-19, and implementation of the verification policy is a major step toward achieving that goal.”
Driscoll said approximately 65 percent of Steamship’s workforce is currently vaccinated against COVID-19, but emphasized that percentage is for the total employee population, including summer workers and others who may be on voluntary layoff. It’s not yet clear whether the mandate will impact ferry operations in the event a significant number of employees do not comply with the new policy.
“We’re closely monitoring the situation to determine what effects, if any, we have to operations,” Driscoll added.
The new policy applies to both union and non-union employees of the Steamship Authority, including full-time, part-time, seasonal, intermittent, temporary and contract employees, as well as interns. The Steamship has eight union bargaining units it must negotiate the policy with, and has only reached a memorandum of agreement with one: the SEIU, which represents the Authority’s reservation clerks. Still outstanding are the Teamsters and the Marine Engineers Beneficiary Association.
The vaccination mandate is being implemented in accordance with state and federal orders on the COVID-19 vaccine issued by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and President Joseph Biden for state agencies and organizations with 100 or more employees.
For those employees who meet the criteria for a COVID-19 vaccine exemption – including health considerations and “strongly held religious beliefs” – the Steamship will require weekly COVID-19 testing.
The Steamship Authority continues to implement a mask requirement for all passengers and employees aboard its vessels to help prevent the spread of the virus, while also taking additional precautions like regularly cleaning its ferries with hospital-grade disinfectant.
Nantucket Cottage Hospital recently implemented its own COVID-19 vaccine requirement for staff, in accordance with a policy set by its parent company Mass General Brigham. While the vast majority of hospital staff were vaccinated, a small number of employees – NCH said it was less than 10 – had their employment ended with the company for failing to get vaccinated.
