More than 800 Air Canada employees are suspended without pay for not getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with government and airline rules.
Michael Rousseau, chief executive officer of Montreal-based Air Canada, said on Tuesday almost all the airline’s 27,000 pilots, flight attendants and other employees have had both shots. “Our employees have done their part, with now over 96 per cent fully vaccinated,” Mr. Rousseau said. “The employees who are not vaccinated or do not have a medical or other permitted exemptions have been put on unpaid leave.”
Employees of Air Canada and other Canadian airlines must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 30 or face layoff and possible firing, according to rules imposed by the federal government.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. said on Monday almost 300 of its 7,300 employees are suspended for not getting both immunizations, which reduce the chances of becoming seriously ill from the virus that has killed about 29,000 people in Canada since the onset of the pandemic in March, 2020.
Leisure airline Transat AT Inc. suspended 18 people on Nov. 1 for not getting the shots, most of them flight attendants, said Christophe Hennebelle, a spokesman for the airline that employs 2,000.
Air Canada employees who do not get vaccinated face unpaid leave and possible termination, the airline said. The number suspended could change as people get their shots, said Peter Fitzpatrick, an Air Canada spokesman.
The government requires airline and railway passengers to show proof of vaccination as of Oct. 30. The move is intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and safely reopen travel and borders. Canada’s borders are open to fully vaccinated travelers, but they must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before boarding the flight or crossing the land border.
Acceptable tests include the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test but not rapid antigen results.
Air Canada’s Mr. Rousseau said the airline is committed to implementing the measures intended to protect the health and safety of employees and travelers. “We do believe, however, that with the combination of the new travel policy and high vaccination rates for the general public, the pre-departure PCR test is unnecessary and we will continue to advocate for its elimination.”
Article From: Globe and Mail
Author: ERIC ATKINS
