Flu vaccination agreement reached with union, University of Iowa Health Care

An agreement has been reached regarding mandatory flu shots at University of Iowa Health Care.

The agreement announced this afternoon calls for Service Employees International Union Local 199 to withdraw its application for a temporary injunction.

Union officials said administrators at UI Hospitals and Clinics agreed to suspend the program, but hospital spokesman Tom Moore said the program will proceed as scheduled on Friday.

Seasonal flu shots are required this year for all faculty, staff, volunteers, vendors and contractors at the hospital, Carver College of Medicine and UI physicians.

The union, which represents about 2,800 health care workers at the hospital, filed a request for an injunction earlier this month in Johnson County District Court.

Union President Cathy Glasson said the group believes employees should be vaccinated against the flu, but opposes the mandate, under which workers who don't get a shot or obtain a medical or religious exemption could lose their jobs.

The case was set for a court hearing Wednesday.

In a statement, the union said the request was filed because it believes the mandate violated its contract with the employer.

“The union also believes the hospital has violated Iowa labor law,” the statement said. “This agreement allows time to resolve these questions in the proper forums.”