Westmoreland County Transit Authority union rejects covid vaccine incentive

Leadership of the union that represents Westmoreland County Transit Authority fixed-route bus drivers and mechanics said Friday a proposal to offer additional sick leave to vaccinated employees who test positive for the coronavirus is not fair and won’t present the plan to its members.

Dave Conley, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1738, said the authority’s proposal was soundly rejected by his leadership team.

“It’s not fair that the vaccinated are treated differently and get extra time and people who don’t get vaccinated won’t get it,” Conley said. “We have a lot of members who don’t believe in it (vaccinations) and many who have gotten it.”

The authority has struggled to increase the number of its vaccinated employees. Executive Director Alan Blahovec said vaccination levels of union and nonunionized staff has not changed in months. About 56% of authority employees are vaccinated, Blahovec said.

The authority has about 146 employees, including 52 who are members of the union.

Authority board members last month implemented an incentive program for nonunion staff in which those who are vaccinated and test positive for coronavirus receive five additional sick days to take during their illness. Blahovec said the same plan was presented to the union.

Union leadership’s refusal to even present the authority’s benefit plan to employees left board members uncertain about how to move forward. Officials said that without the incentive, union members who become infected will have to use their own sick leave or not get paid.

Board members said letters will be sent directly to union members about the proposed incentive plan.

“We have the right to communicate with our employees,” said board member Rosie Wolford.

The union’s rejection of the move comes days after State Rep. Leslie Rossi, R-Unity, said she is offering “vaccination exemption assistance” to constituents in a newsletter mailed to people this week.

Local health officials pleaded with residents this week to mask up and get vaccinated while Excela Health struggles to deal with covid-19 infections that have pushed its three Westmoreland County hospitals beyond capacity.

About 186,000 county residents have been vaccinated, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.