Carhartt facing calls for boycott over vaccine mandates

Carhartt, the work wear and outdoor gear maker, is facing calls for a boycott among conservatives opposed to its vaccine mandate for staff.

The outcry comes amid fierce debate in the US over Covid-19 jabs.

This month, the US Supreme Court said the government could not force large employers to make Covid-19 vaccination or weekly testing mandatory.

Companies including the coffee chain Starbucks have since walked back their plans for such rules.

But in a recent memo to staff, Carhartt leaders said the Supreme Court decision had not changed company requirements, which went into effect for much of their staff in early January.

"We put workplace safety at the very top of our priority list and the Supreme Court's recent  ruling doesn't impact that core value," wrote Carhartt's chief executive Mark Valade.

"While we appreciate that there may be differing views, workplace safety is an area where we and the union that represents our associates cannot compromise.  An unvaccinated workforce is both a people and business risk that our company is unwilling to take. " 

After copies of the message were circulated on social media, prominent conservatives and Republican figures weighed in.

"Well Carhartt has labelled the unvaccinated dangerous and implemented a vaccine mandate," attorney Molly McCann, who has represented former US President Donald Trump, wrote on Twitter.

"Pretty rich from a company sustained by the ranchers, farmers, labourers, etc. who make this country great and celebrate her values of freedom and liberty."

"Boycott Carhartt until they break," she said.

Founded in 1889, Carhartt employs more than 5,500 people globally. It is privately-owned and based in Michigan, a state in the middle of the US that is fiercely divided between Republicans and Democrats.

While its clothing is worn by the likes of labourers and farm workers it is also popular among younger, fashion-conscious people.

The company said the "vast majority" of its staff are fully vaccinated or in the process of getting their jabs. It also granted "a number" of religious and medical exemption requests.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "Carhartt fully understands and respects the varying opinions on this topic, and we are aware some of our associates do not support this policy.

"However, we stand behind our decision because we believe vaccines are necessary to protect our workforce."

While the Supreme Court struck down the national requirement, courts have been more open to states and companies setting their own policies.

Just over a third of US workers are now covered by vaccine mandates, according to a Gallup poll in December.

Investment bank Citigroup and United Airlines are among the companies that have moved forward with vaccine mandates. United Airlines's boss Scott Kirby recently told staff that the policy had saved lives.

Other firms have wavered in the face of opposition, despite health, financial and operational considerations.

About 55% of US workers support employer vaccine mandates, a Gallup poll found in December. But more than a third were strongly opposed. Divide over the issue is linked to politics, with Republicans leading the opposition.

Business groups say companies are worried about compliance costs and staff recruitment. About 63% of Americans are fully vaccinated but that number varies significantly depending on location.