U-P And Unions File Countersuits Over Vaccination Mandate

     The Union Pacific Railroad and its labor unions are suing each other to determine whether the UP has the authority to require its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

       The unions argue in their suits that the Omaha-based railroad should have negotiated with them before announcing it would require all employees to get the shots. 

        The railroad contends in its lawsuit that it has the authority to require the vaccine under its existing contracts because it can set standards for when employees are fit for duty. 

       Union Pacific announced its mandate requiring all employees to be vaccinated by December 8 earlier this month.