October 15, 2021 4:15 a.m.

Monday is the deadline for teachers, educators, support staff and volunteers in Oregon schools to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or get an approved religious or medical exemption.

That date also applies to all of the approximately 43,000 state executive branch employees. However, some are getting a bit more time. Governor Kate Brown’s Press Secretary Liz Merah told News Radio 1240 KQEN that through the collective bargaining process, the state has entered into Letters of Agreement with three labor unions regarding implementation of vaccine requirements for the employees those unions represent. That includes the Service Employees International Union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the Association of Engineering Employees of Oregon.

Merah said rather than terminating employees that haven’t been fully vaccinated by Monday, the state has agreed to a process that allows staff represented by those unions to demonstrate intent and forward progress through having received their first dose by the deadline. Merah said that is a more productive path than someone not getting vaccinated at all and leaving state service.

Through an addendum to statewide policy, this process also applies to employees in positions that are unrepresented, unclassified, or are in management or executive service. Merah said the collective bargaining process is still underway with several other unions that also represent state employees.

Merah said the requirements for K-12 workers are captured in Oregon Health Authority rules and are separate from the Governor’s executive order on vaccine requirements for state executive branch employees.