Washington officials across multiple state agencies were bracing for impacts this week as Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate went into effect.

State employees had until midnight Monday to show proof of vaccination or lose their job if they didn’t have a waiver for getting the jab.

The early focus was on Washington State Ferries and public safety organizations.

Kris Rietmann Abrudan of the Washington State Department of Transportation said early Monday that a large number of WSF employees had offered proof of vaccinations.

“We’re at 87 percent of WSF employees with validated vaccinations or approved exemptions and associated accommodations,” Abrudan said in an email to The Leader.

“As of 7:30 a.m. today, we have 93 percent of WSDOT employees with validated vaccinations or approved exemptions and associated accommodations,” she added.

Last week, the Department of Transportation sent roughly 750 separation notices to union and non-union employees who had not yet provided proof of vaccination or had a waiver. The agency has 6,807 employees.

By Friday, Abrudan noted that “about 350 have been rescinded — meaning that employees have shared their intent to stay with the agency and started the vaccination process though they may need to take leave to be fully vaccinated” after Oct. 18.

WSF SERVICE CUTS

Late last week, WSF said crew shortages had forced a  daunting drawdown on the number of ferry sailings.

The ferry system cut back the number of ferry sailings and reduced service on most routes starting Saturday, Oct. 16.

Ferry officials said the cutbacks “will help offer more predictable and reliable service systemwide in the face of crewing shortages, due to a global shortage of mariners that has been worsened by the pandemic.”

Two-boat service was cut to one ferry only on the Edmonds-Kingston, Seattle-Bainbridge, and Mukilteo-Clinton routes, starting Saturday.

Other routes in the system that have three or four vessels also lost a vessel, and runs served by two or three boats were cut back, as well.

In a message to staff earlier this month, WSF Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello thanked those who were still showing up for work.

“The vaccination requirement has led some staff to make difficult decisions regarding their continued employment with the agency,” Rubstello wrote. “However, it is unacceptable to leave first responders, families, and hardworking WSF employees without safe and reliable ferry service.”

She noted that workers “may see negative news coverage surrounding the actions of a few that reflect poorly on WSF workers and the agency. Know that your management, your labor unions, and the majority of customers support you and appreciate your service.”

STATE PATROL HIT

Other state agencies reported the loss of hundreds of employees who refused to get vaccinated.

The Washington State Patrol said Tuesday that 127 workers were no longer employed by the end of Monday, the deadline for state employees to provide proof of vaccination or get an approved exemption and accommodations for religious or medical reasons.

The losses include 53 civil servants and 74 commissioned officers (67 troopers, six sergeants, and one captain).

The State Patrol has approximately 2,200 employees.

In a message to others in the agency late Monday, WSP Chief John R Batiste said: “COVID is a killer and the state is taking action intended to improve public safety. I thank you for staying on post and staying in service to this state and agency. Better days are ahead. Believe that and know I believe in you.”

PUD LOOKS AT MANDATE

In Jefferson County, Jefferson County Public Utilities District General Manager Kevin Streett said the organization was in the process of developing a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all employees.

Citing the need to comply with state mandates and to safeguard the health of employees, their families, customers, and the community at large, Streett said the decision was made in response to both the rapid spread of the Delta variant and the issuance of Inslee’s vaccination requirement.

“The PUD currently has contracts with Washington State Department of Transportation, and as part of the performance of that contract, our personnel are subject to the vaccination requirements,” Streett noted.

Although some PUD employees, particularly office workers, would not be subject to the requirements, after consulting with management and labor union representatives, Streett said a decision was made to have a single policy covering all employees.

Streett had told both staff and PUD commissioners during their Oct. 4 regular meeting that that they would not be able to meet the Oct. 18 deadline.

He said discussions were still underway with both the Laborers Union (which represents water and customer service staff) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (which represents electrical and warehouse staff).

While Streett stated there was no dispute with the unions about the need for compliance, they were bargaining over details of the implementation.

He also told staff and the commission that employees in need of an exemption due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, would be able to submit a request for accommodation.

As the PUD’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is not complete, exemption and accommodation forms have not been distributed.

“We will be providing more information as the policy and timelines are finalized,” Streett said.