Toronto Transit Commission lifts vaccine mandate, offers re-employment to those who were terminated under the policy
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has announced an end to its vaccine mandate on November 27 and will invite employees who were terminated under the policy to return to their old jobs.
The commission first introduced its Covid-19 vaccine mandate last year, directing that employees who refused to share their vaccination status or remained unvaccinated by December 31, 2021, would be terminated.
"The policy ensured employee illnesses were kept to a bare minimum and allowed the TTC to continue delivering its essential service throughout the pandemic," said the TTC announcement inviting former employees back to work.
The TTC employs about 14,000 people operating the most heavily used urban transit system in Canada.
According to local news media reports, the TTC confirmed that 345 employees were terminated under the vaccine policy.
Now they are invited back.
"Eligible employees whose employment was terminated as a result of the policy will be offered the opportunity to be reinstated by the TTC. They will not be eligible for back pay but their seniority will be preserved," the TTC said in its announcement.
The policy was opposed by the union representing TTC workers, but an arbitrator ruled in the TTC’s favour.
Despite the lifting its vaccine mandate, the transit commission said it is still "encouraging all its employees to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations."
The TTC's decision follows the steps taken by other organisations across Canada. Ottawa ended the vaccination requirement for federally regulated transportation workers on June 20.
Early this month, the City of Toronto announced that it will end its vaccine mandate effective December 1. In Ontario, the provincial government has already suspended vaccine requirements in schools, long-term care homes, and hospitals.
