TTC considering recalling retired workers to fill gaps caused by COVID-19 vaccine mandate
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is considering recalling retired workers to fill gaps caused by workers who do not comply with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate at the end of the month.
As part of its vaccine policy, all TTC workers must show proof of full vaccination by Oct. 30.
Last week, the agency said it postponed a routine scheduling of operators on transit shifts until Nov. 3 to allow for more time to ascertain the vaccination status of all employees.
Now it is considering bringing back retired workers to fill possible shortages.
Spokesperson Stuart Green told CP24 on Monday the recall of retired operators is just “one of the contingencies we are exploring.”
As part of its vaccine policy, all TTC workers must show proof of full vaccination by Oct. 30.
As of Oct. 8, more than 80 per cent of workers have shared their status, including 76 per cent of unionized employees.
Of those employees, more than 90 per cent said they are fully vaccinated and the remainder have only received one shot.
The TTC has not yet decided what measures employees who do not show proof of vaccination will face.
The subject of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination has riled many employer-employee relationships in the Canada and across the world and the TTC is no exception.
For weeks after the TTC announced its policy on Aug, 19, the union advised its 12,000 members to withhold their vaccination status due to concerns with the policy infringing upon human rights.
The union called out TTC CEO Rick Leary’s approach for being “confrontational” and claiming that he “failed repeatedly to share vital information.”
In response, last week the TTC filed an application with the Ontario Labour Relations Board seeking to have the union’s actions deemed an illegal strike action.
The next day the union reversed its stance and advised members to comply with the TTC’s vaccination policy and to disclose their vaccination status.
-With files from CP24’s Kerrisa Wilson and Joshua Freeman
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What Canada is doing about the toxic forever chemicals in drinking water
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Here's why experts don't think cloud seeding played a role in Dubai's downpour
Scientists say it's highly unlikely cloud seeding is responsible for the heavy rains that have caused flooding in the United Arab Emirates this month, and that climate change is the more likely culprit.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.