Port Authority Experiencing Work Shortage And Service Interruptions As Unvaccinated Employees Told To Stay Home
Chris Hoffman and Bryant Reed/KDKA-TV News
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Port Authority canceled dozens of routes after suspending hundreds of workers who failed to meet the midnight COVID-19 vaccine deadline.
The Port Authority is warning riders of delays and telling them to have a backup plan.
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There are 366 employees, including 180 drivers, who are unvaccinated and have been told to stay home, pending a hearing. They are still getting paid and disciplinary hearings are set to begin on Friday. If they get their first shot before their hearing, they will be put back on the job and have 30 days to get the second shot.
"To be quite frank, I'm a little tired of talking about the 500 employees who decided a long time ago that they weren't going to follow a work rule," spokesperson Adam Brandolph said over Zoom.
The union says they're frustrated.
"It's so messed up they have people who have their first dose who are being told to stay home tomorrow," said Ross Nicotero. "And then it'll be spun back on Local 85 that they're not working and the bus isn't showing up because of us. It's untrue and it's frustrating beyond belief."
Brandolph says it's very likely that all routes at one point or another will become out of service because it's difficult to change driver routes.
"We can't reassign drivers new routes because of union work rules, whether someone is on vacation or just not here today," he said.
WATCH: KDKA's Bryant Reed reports
The suspended workers are still being paid for now, but ultimately could be terminated pending the outcome of disciplinary hearings.
Brandolph said 80% of employees were working Wednesday.
"Every route will be affected. Riders should know to allow for extra time when traveling," said Brandolph.
The Port Authority said due to the staffing shortage, they have stopped collecting fares and will continue to waive them until the end of service on Sunday.
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