Labor Week: Big Fines for Vaccine Mandates in FL, Denial of Unemployment Benefits for Vaccine Mandate Violators in RI & More

FL to Begin Fining Local Governments over Vaccine Mandates:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced at a news conference last week that the state will begin enforcing a new state law enacted in May (SB 2006) that bars businesses and local governments from requiring proof of vaccination for COVID-19 “to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the governmental entity’s operations in this state.” That decision will make cities and counties like Gainesville, Leon County, and Orange County that have passed vaccine mandates subject to fines of $5,000 per employee required to be vaccinated, potentially adding up to millions of dollars. (MIAMI HERALD, STATE NET)

RI to Deny Unemployment to Workers Fired for Defying Vaccine Mandates:

Workers in Rhode Island who lose their jobs for refusing to obey their employers’ COVID-19 vaccine requirements will generally not be eligible for unemployment benefits. Matt Weldon, director of the state’s Department of Labor and Training, said that although some workers may have legitimate medical or religious reasons for not getting vaccinated, the state considers COVID-19 vaccination mandates to be a reasonable requirement for employment. (BOSTON GLOBE)

Amazon Facing Another Unionization Effort:

International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union 362 has filed for a vote on union representation at an Amazon warehouse in Nisku, Alberta. If approved by the Alberta Labor Relations Board, all workers employed at the Amazon facility known as YEG1 as of Sept. 13 will be permitted to vote on whether to join the union. Although Amazon prevailed in a unionization vote at a warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama in April, the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union challenged that election, and the National Labor Relations Board may issue a decision on the matter in the next few weeks. (CNBC)

Labor Complaint Filed Against Activision Blizzard:

The Communication Workers of America (CWA) has filed a formal complaint against Activision Blizzard with the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint alleges the electronic gaming giant intimidated and harassed workers who protested about the company’s toxic workplace practices. The company is also being sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing over similar charges. (CNET)

-- Compiled by KOREY CLARK