NewsRescue
SUNY Downstate, a foremost hospital in New York’s Brooklyn city is shutting down surgeries and other services due to understaffing as many workers who have rejected the vaccine are on unpaid leave with some fighting the vaccine mandate in court.
Fred Kowal, the president of United University Professions, whose union represents thousands of Downstate members told News 12. that “workers who aren’t vaccinated are on unpaid leave, with some fighting the mandate in court.”
172 unvaccinated employees are facing disciplinary action.
Following New York's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for hospital and nursing home workers going into effect, SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn has taken 221 employees off duty, leading to a cancelation of surgeries and other services. https://t.co/QQxpKhOegf
— Gothamist (@Gothamist) September 30, 2021
SUNY Downstate is a tertiary training hospital and one of the largest Hospitals serving central Brooklyn communities.
The closure comes as several other hospitals in New York and around the country are suffering staff loses and having to also shut down services.
