Port Authority fires 17 employees for not complying with covid-19 vaccine mandate

Seventeen Port Authority of Allegheny County employees have been fired for failing to comply with the authority’s covid-19 vaccine mandate that went into effect nearly a month ago, officials said.

The mandate went into effect March 16, with Port Authority officials warning ahead of time of possible widespread service disruptions, with around 480 employees unvaccinated at the time.

Port Authority spokesman Adam Brandolph said 127 employees remain on paid leave while they await disciplinary hearings for failure to meet the vaccine mandate. Nine employees have retired, while about 100 have returned to work upon showing proof of vaccination, he said.

From April 3 to 11, an average of 5.8% of routes were out of service, ranging from a low of 0.02% on April 3 to 8.5% on April 6 and 7, Port Authority said.

Port Authority said in January that it would require all employees to be vaccinated. Officials had previously offered a number of financial incentives, including $200 for employees to get vaccinated and $100 to get a booster shot. Employees received $150 when the agency 75% of employees became vaccinated and would receive another $150 at 85%.

About 80% of employees were vaccinated when the mandate went into effect.

Seven Port Authority drivers have died from covid-19 causes since the pandemic began. Brandolph previously said that four died before the vaccine was widely available. Three were not vaccinated.