A second former employee of WTVM in Columbus, Ga., is in a legal battle with the television station’s parent company after being fired for not getting the COVID vaccine.
Daniel Eason, a former Master Control Operator and Ingest Technician, worked for the station since 2015. He was terminated after applying for a religious exemption to the vaccine.
Gray Television, the station’s parent company, issued a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in August 2021. Management who did not get the shot by Sept. 15, 2021, and all other employees who did not get the shot by Oct. 1, 2021, were terminated.
Dave Platta, a longtime sports anchor for WTVM, was also among those terminated. He has also filed a federal lawsuit against Gray Television.
The federal Civil Rights Lawsuit filed by Eason claims unlawful discrimination and retaliation. Eason, an Alabama resident, said other than filing for exemption, his job did not require him to come into contact with others.
WTVM covers the Columbus, Ga. market, which includes Chambers, Lee, Russell and Barbour Counties in Alabama.
In response to the lawsuit, Gray Television’s attorneys denied allegations against the company and asked to dismiss the case.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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