Over 300 city workers are on unpaid leave for not providing proof of vaccination or negative tests

An estimated 317 city employees are on unpaid leave Thursday after failing to pick up a COVID-19 testing kit or provide proof they have two doses of a vaccine.

The city's mandatory vaccine verification policy was approved in August and required all workers to show proof they have both shots. Those who haven't been vaccinated have the option to undergo rapid testing and submit results every Monday and Thursday.

"Our policy has provided City employees with a choice, while allowing the city to continue safely delivering services to the residents of Hamilton," said Lora Fontana, Hamilton's executive director of human resources in a media release.

But hundreds of employees have taken neither option, according to the city, and have been put on leave starting Nov. 4.

The staff members represent a range of departments and divisions, but the city says the following areas have "large pockets of non-compliant employees."

• 5.4 per cent of HSR bus drivers.
• 6.1 per cent of front line firefighters.
• 6.9 per cent of workers in the waste department.
• 8.2 per cent in the parks and cemeteries department.

The city is warning residents that there may be impacts on services because of the workers being placed on leave.

Fontana said different departments are carrying out contingency plans, with approaches for each area tailored to minimize challenges.

Alternatives include overtime and hiring casual or contract workers, she wrote in an email.

Fire department says response won't be affected

Despite losing firefighters to leave, Stan Double, president of the Hamilton Professional Fire Fighters Association, said the department will use tools such as overtime shifts to make sure "every seat on every firetruck is full."

"Every emergency that a citizen of Hamilton calls 911 for, we will be there and we will be there with a full crew and a full staff to mitigate that emergency," he said.

Double disputed the city's statistics, saying he believes they "may be skewed."

The union represents 530 staff. That means 6.1 per cent represents roughly 32 people.

The HPFFA's review of its members found 25-30 who are on leave.

As for the city saying the 6.1 per cent are front line firefighters?

"I dispute that as well. I believe that number reflects the department as a whole," said Double, adding it's his understanding some of the department staff now on leave work in other areas such as maintenance, training or communications.

Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe said the department has policies and practices to maintain adequate staffing.

The number of firefighters impacted by the vaccine verification policy "continues to decrease," he wrote in a statement to CBC.

Double said the union it encourages its members to be vaccinated, but acknowledges its members have the choice to get the shots and provide proof they've had them.

"It's always a concern when we have people scheduled to come to work and are being place on unpaid leave," said Double.

HSR cancels trips

In the media statement announcing the number of workers on unpaid leave, Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the policy is necessary step on the path toward reopening.

"We know how destructive the alternative is and we will continue to follow a data-driven approach to guide decisions that protect public health," he said.

HSR issued a warning to rides last week saying its service could be disrupted as drivers were put on unpaid leave.

On Wednesday, the transit system cancelled a number of weekday trips on Route 51 until further notice.

Maureen Cosyn Heath, director of transit, said it's continuing to encourage employees to comply with the vaccine verification policy.

"We are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for both our employees and our customers," she said.

"We know that our customers rely on us to get to their destinations on time and we're doing everything we can to mitigate possible service impacts."