Covid-19 vaccinations lag at Westmoreland County Transit Authority

Covid-19 vaccinations among Westmoreland County Transit Authority drivers, mechanics and administrative staff continue to lag.

Executive Director Alan Blahovec said just 57% of the agency’s nearly 140-person workforce has been vaccinated and little progress to increase that number is expected in the coming months.

“The noes we’ve gotten are pretty hard noes,” Blahovec said.

Vaccines have not been required for transit authority staff and a local requirement to do so is not imminent. Blahovec said the agency might be exempt from a federal mandate that requires vaccinations for workers at business of more than 100 employees.

No incentives for vaccines have been implemented, although board members on Thursday indicated they will consider a plan to institute additional paid sick leave for vaccinated employees who test positive for coronavirus.

“We will work to put something together for the next (board meeting),” Blahovec said.

Employees are required to wear masks in authority offices and on transit vehicles. Passengers are also required to wear masks.

Coronavirus cases among authority personnel have yet to impact service on the agency’s fixed-route bus service and Go Westmoreland paratransit shared-ride system, officials said.

Meanwhile, authority board members ratified a new three-year labor deal with the Amalgamated Transit Union which represents 55 drivers and mechanics. The new contract includes 4% raises in the first year of the deal with pay hikes of 3% in year two and 2.5% in the final year of the agreement.

The contract also includes an attendance bonus program and certification requirements for mechanics.