Union loses order to suspend TTC’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy – Toronto
The union representing thousands of TTC workers has lost its order to suspend the shipping agency’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.
Earlier this month, ATU Local 113 filed an application with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to suspend TTC from providing unpaid leave or notice of termination until the dispute is resolved by arbitration.
The court denied the union’s request on Saturday.
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TTC union returns to require employees not to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status to employers
“We believe that TTC’s policy on suspension and termination of unvaccinated employment is unfair and will be subject to arbitration. While I had hoped the Court would stop this policy while we fight in arbitration, I am confident that in the end we will prevail,” Carlos Santos, president of ATU Local 113 said in a statement. .
In an interview with Global News, Shabnum Durrani, head of corporate communications with TTC, confirmed that it will go ahead with its vaccination policy.
Employees are required to disclose their immunization status and be fully vaccinated by the end of Saturday.
“So, by the end of today, if workers don’t follow the policy, they will be laid off. And we hope that in the next six weeks they will be vaccinated,” Durrani said.
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TTC fires employees who did not get COVID-19 vaccine by December 31
The transit agency said if employees fail to vaccinate or disclose their status by December 30, workers will face layoffs.
Durrani said more than 90% of TTC employees are fully vaccinated.
Santos said the transit agency could have taken other solutions.
“Instead of laying off workers, TTC can keep our workplace safe by providing routine testing to a small percentage of workers who don’t want to get vaccinated,” he said.
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TTC said it expected to cut services when the COVID-19 vaccine authorization comes into effect
TTC warns customers that due to potential labor shortages, there will be some service changes starting November 21, possibly similar to seasonal adjustments made in the summer and December. .
The agency reassures that these changes will only affect low-passenger routes and that their busiest routes will remain protected.
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