TTC alleges employees refusing to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status are part of illegal strike
CBC
The TTC is alleging its largest union is carrying out an illegal job action by encouraging its members to refuse to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status, pushing the internal clash over the transit agency's policy into a new phase.
In an application filed to the Ontario Labour Relations Board on Tuesday, the TTC said that the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113's communications with its members has resulted in an "abysmally low" disclosure rate. The union represents about 12,000 transit agency employees, mostly in Toronto.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have taken extraordinary steps to keep everyone safe and comfortable while working at and riding on the TTC. Our mandatory vaccination policy is part of this commitment," TTC CEO Rick Leary said in a statement,
"Regrettably, ATU Local 113 executives have engaged in a campaign that is creating obstacles to our objectives and is hindering the best public health advice regarding vaccinations."
The TTC initially announced its intention to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in August, and released details of the plan on Sept. 7. The policy requires that employees receive two doses of vaccine by no later than Oct. 30.
The transit agency had set a deadline of Sept. 20 for employees to disclose their vaccination status. In its application to the labour board, the TTC noted that by Sept. 19, only about 31.5 per cent of ATU Local 113 members had done so.
A few days later, on Sept. 23, the disclosure rate stood at about 38 per cent.
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