MILWAUKEE - The city of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association (Local 215) have signed an agreement that requires union members to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
Members who are not vaccinated by Jan. 31, 2022 will be required to wear a mask at all times while on duty except when eating, drinking, showering or sleeping.
With this agreement, all public safety unions in Milwaukee have formally approved COVID-19 vaccinations or masking requirements.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
"Throughout city government, there is agreement that our employees must take appropriate precautions to avoid COVID infections," Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. "I appreciate all the public safety unions approving the vaccination requirements for the good of their members, their families, their colleagues, and the community."
The voluntary agreement with Local 215 includes provisions for the administration of the vaccination to members while they are on duty. If previously vaccinated, members will receive two hours of compensation. The vaccine is mandatory regardless of previous infection status.
Cavalier Johnson
Members who are found to be in violation of the agreement will face discipline that includes suspensions and, for repeated violations, possible discharge. That is similar to the consequences general city employees face for violation of vaccination requirements.
The memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday will be in place until the end of 2022 unless there is mutual agreement to extend it or end it sooner.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
Acting Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson sworn in
At his high school alma mater, Cavalier Johnson addressed the challenges ahead – in what is essentially a four-month audition for the role and oath he hopes to recite, again, this coming spring.
Barrett swearing in, US ambassador to Luxembourg
Tom Barrett was sworn in on Thursday morning, Dec. 23 as the next U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg. The swearing-in was held at the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Massive pileup on I-94 in western Wisconsin (Credit: Ashleigh Earll via Storyful)
More than 100 vehicles were involved in crashes along ice-covered I-94 near Osseo in western Wisconsin. (Credit: Ashleigh Earll via Storyful)