Hundreds suspended over vaccinations
Approximately 300 workers at Canadian airline WestJet are at risk of losing their jobs after failing to get fully immunised against COVID-19 by the October 30 deadline.The employees are currently on unpaid leave for the whole month of November, according to Richard Bartrem, WestJet's vice president of Marketing Communications, in a report from CTV News. Bartrem said they’ve given the workers until November 30 to comply with the company's vaccination mandate. If not fully immunised by the end of the month, their jobs could be at risk, added Bartrem.
Read more: WestJet's EVP People: 'Get practical experience as early as possible'
"Aviation has been one of the hardest hit industries and we believe requiring all WestJet Group employees to be vaccinated is the right thing to do and ensures the safest travel and work environment for everyone in WestJet's world," Mark Porter, WestJet executive vice-president of people, said in a previous media release.
So far, around 96% of the company's 7,300 employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to CTV's report. A representative from WestJet also told The Globe and Mail the mandate is in line with the federal government's mandatory policy for air travellers.
"All WestJet Group employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and full vaccination status is a requirement of employment for all future employees hired by the WestJet Group," Morgan Bell, WestJet representative, told The Globe and Mail.
