Hearings continue for Port Authority employees suspended over a COVID vaccine mandate.
About 340 unvaccinated Port Authority employees have been scheduled for hearings where they have the opportunity to show they've received at least one dose of the vaccine.
A Port Authority spokesperson told NewsRadio KDKA there were 38 hearings, 28 employees returned to work, six retired and four were terminated.
Port Authority CEO Katherine Kelleman tells Rick Dayton, hearings continue to take place this week where more people have shown proof of vaccination.
“Yesterday [Tuesday], out of 23 bus operator hearings, we had 20 people who came in with either full or partial vaccination are coming back to work.”
Still, many remain off the job, some protesting the mandate. The Port Authority is reporting service disruptions and implementing free fares through the end of the week.
About 340 employees were suspended when the Port Authority's vaccine mandate went into effect March 15. In a Facebook video last week, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 president Ross Nicotero told members to stay the course.
“Be kind to each other and be nice to each other. No place for threats, fighting amongst ourselves. It’s a trying time when they’re holding your careers above your head,” Nicotero said.
Be sure to listen live and follow KDKA NewsRadio on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.