A Maine healthcare provider that fired nurses who refused the COVID vaccine during the pandemic is now begging them to return.
The Maine Wire reports that MaineGeneral Health in Augusta contacted healthcare workers who lost their jobs and refused unemployment compensation for refusing the vaccine to return to work.
Former registered nurse Terry Poland said her former employer sent her a message asking her to return to work.
“You were once a proud member of the MaineGeneral team. Would you consider rejoining us? We would be pleased to discuss options with you,” the facility told her in a text, per The Maine Wire.
“As you know, nearly 2 years ago, MaineGeneral had to comply with a state mandate for COVID-19 vaccination. We lost a number of great employees as a result, including you,” MaineGeneral continued, noting that the state has waived the vaccination rule.
However, despite falling on hard economic times after losing her job, Poland was not tempted to go back.
“I was livid. Like, how dare you force me out of a career that I’ve dedicated my whole life to, taken away my livelihood, my ability to earn a good income, and now you think I’m gonna come grovel back to you?” Poland said.
“I don’t hardly think so. And that’s the attitude of almost everybody that I’ve been in contact with since yesterday.”
Poland said she was fired after she refused to take the COVID vaccine, along with many other nurses.
“I knew enough not to take it. I’ve been a nurse long enough to know I need to question what new products are,” she said.
“I’m not going to be the first one to jump on board of an experiment,” she added, noting that her Christian faith was also a concern due to the “fetal tissues in developing the drug.”
Poland was fired and accused of misconduct and was later refused unemployment benefits.
The director of communications for MaineGeneral, Joy McKenna, admitted only “a few people” have been interested in returning to the hospital.
Some nurses fought back in the courts and scored victories for their firings.
The Buffalo News reported that Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center was ordered to reinstate nurse Wendy Cooper and negotiate retroactive pay.
This week, State Supreme Court Justice Emilio Colaiacovo ruled that an arbitrator’s decision against Cooper was “irrational, violative of public policy, and contrary to the interests of justice.”
“Ms. Cooper is an unfortunate victim in the wake of excesses exhibited by governors, administrators, legislatures, and yes, even the judiciary,” the ruling said.
“All too frequently did critical thinking and the exercise of personal liberties expire at the altar of false righteousness, fear, and authority.”
“Since the mandate which formed the basis for Ms. Cooper’s termination was found to be invalid while the matter was being litigated (in arbitration), the arbitrator’s decision upholding the termination must be vacated,” Colaiacovo wrote.
“It is troubling to find that this arbitrator found it fair and just to confirm Cooper’s termination despite there being scant evidence of Ms. Cooper being derelict in her duties, incompetent or insubordinate, other than refusing to take a vaccine pursuant to a mandate which was found to be found null and void, that the person issuing the mandate lacked the authority to do so, and that the rule was unenforceable.”
READ: CDC Quietly Removes COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Adverse Events’ Reporting From Official Website
