Six San Francisco public transit workers who were fired for refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine have been awarded more than $1 million each.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) employees have filed a discrimination lawsuit alleging they were wrongfully fired for refusing to get vaccinated because of their “sincerely held religious beliefs.”
A federal jury this week awarded the groups a total of $7.8 million ($1.3 million each).
Six BART employees were awarded $7.8 million. Gad (via Getty Images)
Officials with BART, which connects the San Francisco Peninsula to East Bay and South Bay communities, told KRON 4 they had “no comment” on the ruling.
In October 2021, BART issued a new COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated.
In the lawsuit filed by the Pacific Justice Institute, plaintiffs’ lawyers argued that those who sought exemptions based on “sincerely held religious beliefs” were fired.
“Excluding religious persons from the enjoyment of rights violates the religion clause of the First Amendment and federal and state anti-discrimination provisions of employment law. 109 Employees Religious Exemption Request was denied,” the lawsuit states.
A jury ruled Wednesday that BART employees failed to prove undue hardship and that six employees showed a real conflict between their faith and the vaccine.
“The railroad employees chose to lose their livelihoods rather than deny their faith,” said lead attorney Kevin Snyder.
“That in itself shows the sincerity and depth of their beliefs. After nearly three years of fighting, these essential workers feel heard and understood by the jury and are pleased with the verdict. I am overjoyed and relieved.”
The $7.8 million payment was calculated by adding $1 million in lost wages for each terminated employee.
