DETROIT – Leaders of the Detroit automakers and United Auto Employees union have agreed to make face masks non-obligatory for workers who’re absolutely vaccinated in opposition to Covid -19.

Employees for the businesses, together with non-salaried workers, will not have to indicate proof of vaccination, in keeping with officers with the UAW and General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis (previously Fiat Chrysler).

The Tuesday announcement comes after a process drive between the businesses and union reviewed experiences from medical specialists, Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention pointers and Occupational Security and Well being Administration requirements on learn how to safely work by way of the pandemic.

The UAW and automakers final month lifted some Covid-19 protocols however not the masks, which have been a significant grievance of plant workers who typically do bodily work in sizzling environments.

“Whereas the UAW and the businesses proceed following the protocols which have stored our workplaces secure, we all know that top-of-the-line methods to combat this virus is by getting vaccinated,” the UAW mentioned in a press release. “The Process Pressure continues to encourage everybody to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 in order that we will shield our sisters and brothers and their households.”

The UAW declined to launch an estimate of what number of of its roughly 153,000 members with the Detroit automakers have been vaccinated.