Update On Biden Administration's Vaccine Mandate

Words: Jeff Buczkiewicz

UPDATE 11/23/2021: We are waiting on a ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court. In the event they decide to agree with the Fifth Circuit and continue to stay the rule, we will keep monitoring the situation. Should the Sixth Circuit Court decide to enforce the rule, the MCAA will be providing Vaccination and Regular Testing Policies for our members.

A three-judge panel upheld the stay of the Vaccination Mandate issued by OSHA a week ago.  The three-judge panel cited irreparable harm if it were not held up and the rule was eventually overturned. The panel also felt the rule had a good chance of being overruled as there were concerns about the administration doing a 180 from its previous determination on both vaccines and on why an ETS was not necessary without giving a detailed explanation for the flip flop.  

In addition, the panel was concerned about the constitutionality authority under the Commerce Clause and threatens states’ power under the 10th amendment. The court further notes that the ETS is noneconomic activity, which means it falls within the States’ powers. They also noted they did not feel OSHA had the authority to create such a mandate. Likely the rule will be appealed to a full appellate court. If that court concurs, it will likely be headed for the Supreme Court. 

Stay tuned for additional updates.  

There’s the Typical Way to Brace a Wall. And Then There’s a Better Way.
May 2026

Wall bracing is one of the most important safety considerations on any masonry jobsite, yet it is often treated as a task that happens after the wall is built. Crews return, equipment is brought in, and time is set aside to secure walls that have already

Why Coordinated Material Supply Matters in Modern Masonry Construction
May 2026

The Advantages of Single-Source Supply in Modern Masonry Construction Masonry construction has evolved significantly over the past several decades. While brick and mortar remain the defining elements of masonry walls, the assemblies behind them have beco

Remembering Harry McGraw
May 2026

The masonry industry has lost one of its great teachers and craftsmen with the passing of Harry Edward McGraw, who died April 26, 2026, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 93.

The Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship: Investing In The Future
May 2026

The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) Eastern Chapter has launched the Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship at Pitt Community College in Greenville, North Carolina. The annual award honors one of the trade's most influential figures while