CARBONDALE, Ill. (WJPF) – An independent arbitrator has sided with the City of Carbondale over a dispute about mandated COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment.

The arbitrator said the city had the right under a clause of the FOP collective bargaining agreement to implement the policy that required all employees to be fully vaccinated by November 15, 2021, or provide sufficient evidence from a licensed medical provider for a medical exemption.

All new hires for the City of Carbondale must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.