BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — With a vaccine mandate looming, some federal workers at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center are worried about their future.

Matt Dawley, a 16-year veteran contractor serving as a firefighter and EMT at the Kennedy Space Center, said he fears losing his career for being opposed to the mandate.

"It's not about a personal choice to, or not to, take the vaccination," he said. "It's about standing against government compulsion."

Dawley joined some 200 other firefighters, aerospace workers and contractors from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center Monday morning.

The goal of their "Workers Rights" rally was to voice their opposition to medical mandates.

"If employee 'A' wants to take it, I have no problem with that," said Dawley. "If employee 'B' doesn't want to take it, I have no problem with that. I have a problem with the executive branch of the federal government coming in and saying either 'A' or 'B' has to be terminated because of their free choice."

Kevin Smith, of Transport Workers Union 525, said five unions have already banded together to fight the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

"There are thousands of people affected by this," he said.

Smith said there is no list of unvaccinated union members, but he estimated about 50% had forgone the shot.

"Some companies may terminate immediately, some may offer other options for those employees, some on their own may choose to leave and retire early," he said.

Dawley said anxiety about the vaccine mandate is high for his single-income household.

"It's a very worrisome time, how am I going to feed my family?" he said.

According to the mandate, all federal employees have until Dec. 8 to be vaccinated.

The unions are planning another rally on Oct. 28, outside Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.