The mandate could see unvaccinated employees placed on leave
The operator of GO train, the regional transit in the Greater Toronto Area, is set to lose a small number of employees following the enforcement of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Metrolinx said in a statement that employees are required to comply to the mandatory vaccination policy of Alstom, as they are also technically staff of the multinational firm. The company's compulsory vaccination policy came into effect on Sunday, December 5, with more than 96% of the Alstom's 1,000 employees already vaccinated against COVID-19.
Those who choose to remain unvaccinated could be placed on unpaid leave, but a spokesperson for the company told CBC in an interview that they hope the said staff could return once they get their jabs. However, losing workers due to the mandatory vaccination policy will have an effect on the trains' scheduled trips.
"The loss of even a small percentage of crew members, given the current labour market shortages, will unfortunately result in a few GO train trip adjustments," read the company's statement.
Read more: Canadian National Railway mandates vaccines for employees
According to Metrolinx, they can limit the changes to about twoper cent of the 500 daily train trips. Spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins told CBC News that the cancellations will mostly be on trips with the fewest riders, with the company to provide bus service to replace the cancelled trips.
"Metrolinx will ensure they communicate to customers the night before and early the next day if there are train changes planned on their line," it said.
The company added it will ensure that costumers are immediately notified when adjustments cannot be avoided and that the busiest trips are "maintained as much as possible." Aikins also said they are actively recruiting new employees.
"We really need new people. So, if you're looking for a career in the transit industry, there are good, good jobs available," Aikins told CBC.
