Local businesses mull impact of Biden mandate while urging workers to get vaccine

Many of the local employers large enough to be affected by President Joe Biden’s mandate on vaccines and testing are taking a similar position. They are evaluating the potential impact these rules would have on their organizations while encouraging employees to get the vaccine on their own volition. 

"We’re aware of the recent announcement of the planned rule and are evaluating its potential impact,” said spokesman Bernardo Fallas of Phillips 66, which currently employs about 2,100 people. “In the meantime, we continue to strongly encourage all employees to get vaccinated. We also continue to monitor CDC guidance and developments related to COVID-19 and adjust our protocols and layers of protection accordingly throughout our sites.” 

Biden announced the mandate on Sept. 9 for private businesses with more than 100 employees which represents some 80 million workers nationwide. It would be administered through the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

Calling Biden’s mandate an act of federal overreach, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor stands with 23 other AGs threatening legal action if the president does not drop the mandate. 

Companies already encouraging employee vaccination

Spokesman Dennis Nuss of ConocoPhillips, which employs about 900 in Bartlesville, said they expect the directive will apply to them once implemented. 

“We are assessing the potential implications,” he said. “As always, we will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.” 

Mike Touhill, spokesperson for ABB, which employees more than 200, said the company continues to encourage employees to consider getting the COVID vaccine in accordance with CDC guidance and will comply with any federal regulations.  

Chevron Phillips Chemical, which employs just over 200, is also evaluating the mandate’s potential impact. 

"In the meantime, we are strongly encouraging employees to get vaccinated. We are also following CDC guidance and have protocols in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as mask wearing, social distancing and limits on large group gatherings,” said Nick Facchin, spokesman for Chevron Phillips Chemical.  

OSHA rules don't apply to school districts

OSHA rules do not apply to school districts, and Superintendent Chuck McCauley of Bartlesville Public Schools, which employs more than 870 employees, said the school has no plans to require employees be vaccinated or tested. 

“If the mandate survives inevitable court challenges, it might apply to Sodexo which is a third-party company that oversees our child nutrition and facility services,” he said. 

At the city of Bartlesville, which employs 353 people, spokeswoman Kelli Williams said there is not enough information available to make a determination on how the city will address this situation moving forward. However, the city does offer a $250 incentive to all fully vaccinated employees.  

The Cherokee Nation has required testing for new employees and job training program participants since May in addition to a $300 incentive to government employees. The tribe says that nearly 75% of its 4,300 employees are now vaccinated.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Cherokee Nation has relied on science, facts and compassion to make informed decisions best for the Cherokee people and to protect our elders, language and tribal communities,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “Part of our strategy started by ensuring our workplace and employees were the safest in the region, and we are now already ahead of the curve when it comes to tribal government employee vaccination rates, and mandatory COVID testing of our business employees.” 

Hoskin said they are looking at options for more testing and vaccine measures for their workforce and would be making those decisions consistent with their status as a sovereign government. 

Ascension, a nonprofit and Catholic health system employing around 1,139 people at Jane Phillips Hospital, announced in July that all employees would be required to get vaccinated by Nov. 12. Employees are allowed to request an exemption for medical or religious beliefs.