COVID-19: Almost 82% of Metrolinx Staff Report Completely Vaccinated Before November 1 Deadline | The Canadian News

Metrolinx, the Ontario government agency that oversees GO Transit, UP Express and Presto, reports that more than 80 percent of its staff have indicated that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the key November deadline.

An update provided by Metrolinx indicated that 92 percent of the organization’s approximately 4,600 employees completed the disclosure on their immunization status.

Of that 92 percent (which is more than 4,200 employees), 90 percent (more than 3,800) of the staff reported receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while six percent said they were partially vaccinated and the four percent reported that they were not vaccinated.

Preliminary results advance a new mandatory policy that will go into effect on November 1. All employees must show proof of complete vaccination or proof of a legitimate medical exemption.

Under the policy, employees who do not provide information about vaccination or a medical exemption will be placed on leave without pay.

The update came a day after TTC announced that it was extending its deadline to Sept. 30 from Sept. 20 for employees to provide information on their vaccination status.

A TTC spokesperson said that as of Tuesday morning, nearly 50 percent of the agency’s active employees provided information on vaccines. Of those who responded, 93 percent indicated they were fully vaccinated and seven percent received their first dose.

ATU Local 113, the union that represents TTC workers, urged its members not to provide information on vaccination.

“We will fight to defend your right to make your own personal health decisions and protect your private health information,” read a statement released by the union on September 7.

“ATU Local 113 is not opposed to COVID-19 vaccines. We support legitimate education about the safety and benefits of vaccination. But we will fight and continue to defend the rights of our members. “

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