Vaccinated staff to get extra bonus from Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has become the latest big US airline to try to cajole workers into getting vaccinated as infection rates surge across the United States.

It said it would pay a bonus to staff who got jabbed_ but also stop sick pay for unvaccinated workers who had to quarantine with Covid.

It said it was unrelated to Joe Biden's upcoming vaccine mandate for firms_ but it plans to comply with the order.

Delta_ American and United Airlines have all made similar moves recently.

In a memo to workers_ Southwest said those who submit proof of vaccination to the company by 15 November would get 16 hours of extra pay.

"If you have not been vaccinated and choose to do so_ this timeline gives you enough time to receive both rounds of a two-series vaccine or the single-dose vaccine_" the airline wrote.

The Department of Labor is set to make Covid jabs mandatory at larger private firms and federal employers in the coming weeks_ affecting up to 100 million US workers.

The Delta variant is sweeping the US_ but uptake of vaccines remains slow amid scepticism in some communities.

The mandate is generally supported by big businesses_ but Republican lawmakers have threatened to sue_ saying the order is unconstitutional.

Some firms have already brought in their own mandates or incentives_ including United Airlines_ the first US airline to require all employees to get vaccinated.

Delta Air Lines has said that unvaccinated employees enrolled in the company's healthcare plan must pay a $200 monthly surcharge_ while American Airlines has ended pay protections for unvaccinated workers.