FMI applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last week to pause OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19 vaccination and testing for private businesses. The case was sent back to the Sixth Circuit for a decision on the merits, reports Bloomberg Law.
FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin made the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling:
“We are pleased the Supreme Court recognized the challenges OSHA’s rule would have imposed on food retailers and manufacturers, our employees and, ultimately, American consumers. The Court’s decision today to pause OSHA’s vaccine and testing mandate for private businesses will help ensure the food industry is able to continue meeting our customers’ needs as efficiently and effectively as possible amid the ongoing supply chain and labor disruptions.
“FMI and our member companies remain committed to working with OSHA, the CDC, and the White House to encourage and facilitate vaccinations among our employees and communities while preserving our members’ ability to provide their customers with the foods and products they need to keep their families fed and safe in the new year.
“As FMI and our partner associations’ filing to the Court noted, the food industry has gone to extraordinary lengths to promote vaccination among our associates and communities, including investing $1 billion in incentives to encourage their employees to get vaccinated. Our 12,000 food retail pharmacies have administered a significant percentage of the nation’s COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, a role they continue to embrace in communities across the nation.”
Related: NGA Addresses Questions About OSHA's ETS; FMI Files for Emergency Stay of Vaccination, Testing Mandate.