A judge is currently considering the motion to dismiss the claims of eight school Police Department members who allege they were wrongly denied religious exemptions to Los Angeles Unified’s mandatory employee COVID-19 vaccination mandate. These plaintiffs, including school safety officers, police officers, and detectives, are seeking compensatory damages and reinstatement if they were fired. Judge Jill Feeney heard arguments on the motion but will take more time to reach a final decision.
The plaintiffs in question are Jose Cardenas, Shawn Workman, Angel Frias, Jared Gilmore, Juan Romo, Leopoldo Gil, Aaron Gray, Marc Salazar, Sergio Salas, Branden Hamada, Harold Salazar, Clifford Herrera, Sally Moctezuma, Andrea Magana, Jose Avalos, Donyann Morgan, Christopher Moreno, Shaun Luciano, Cheron Bartee, Melanie Guevara, Timothy Chavez, and Joseph Rios. The LAUSD lawyers argue that these plaintiffs, who are still employed by the district and chose to get vaccinated, did not face adverse employment actions.
In August 2021, the Board of Education implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees working in district facilities. The plaintiffs allege that the district disregarded their religious beliefs and enforced the vaccination policy to their detriment, despite evidence showing that vaccination does not prevent virus acquisition. Each plaintiff submitted a request for exemption and accommodation, but all were summarily denied by the district. Some plaintiffs were coerced into getting vaccinated due to financial pressure, while others were fired or are on medical leave with the threat of termination upon their return if they remain unvaccinated.
However, LAUSD attorneys argue that allowing unvaccinated law enforcement officers to work remotely would be impractical due to the nature of their work, which involves sensitive information that cannot be accessed from home. They also assert that having unvaccinated workers in district facilities would place an undue burden on the district. The district’s lawyers emphasize that law enforcement cannot be conducted remotely at all times.
In summary, the judge is considering the dismissal of claims made by eight police department members regarding religious exemptions to the district’s vaccination mandate. The plaintiffs seek compensation and reinstatement, and the judge will announce a decision in the future.
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