Six San Francisco public transport workers who have been fired for refusing to get COVID-19 vaccines have been awarded greater than $1 million every.
The Bay Space Speedy Transit (BART) workers filed a discrimination lawsuit saying they have been wrongly terminated for refusing the vaccine on “sincerely held non secular beliefs.”
Federal jurors this week awarded the group a complete of $7.8 million, or $1.3 million every.
An official for BART, which connects the San Francisco Peninsula with communities within the East and South bays, instructed KRON 4 it had “no remark” on the ruling.
BART issued a brand new COVID-19 vaccination coverage in October 2021 that required all workers to be totally vaccinated.
Those that requested for exemptions due to “sincerely held non secular beliefs” have been fired, the plaintiffs’ attorneys alleged within the lawsuit, filed by the Pacific Justice Institute.
“Exclusion of non secular individuals from the enjoyment of a proper stands in violation of the First Modification’s faith clauses and federal and state anti-discrimination in employment legal guidelines. 109 workers’ requests for non secular exemption have been denied,” the lawsuit stated.
BART officers didn’t show an undue hardship and the six workers had revealed a real battle between their religion and the vaccine, the jury dominated Wednesday.
“The rail workers selected to lose their livelihood somewhat than deny their religion,” stated lead trial lawyer Kevin Snyder.
“That in itself reveals the sincerity and depth of their convictions. After practically three years of wrestle, these important staff really feel they have been heard and understood by the jury and are overjoyed and relieved by the decision.”
The $7.8 million payout was calculated from misplaced wages, plus $1 million, for every fired worker.
Supply hyperlink
