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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Israel orders new evacuations in Gaza's last refuge of Rafah as it expands military offensive
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza’s last refuge.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.