Saskatoon transit drivers are joining police officers, teachers and health-care workers in calling for priority access to vaccines in the second phase of the province’s mass immunization campaign.

The provincial government has said doses will be allocated based strictly on age, with the oldest residents going first — a decision that has left unions representing health-care workers fuming.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 criticized the government for “once again” failing to prioritize transit drivers in the vaccination effort in a news release issued Tuesday morning.

“Transit workers are responsible for moving our country’s front line health care workers, grocery store clerks and many other essential workers,” union president Darcy Pederson said in a statement.

“This is why it is crucial to prioritize transit professionals to ensure safe, reliable service,” he added, emphasizing that a transit outbreak could have “devastating consequences” for vulnerable people.

ATU Local 615 has previously reported spotty mask usage and limited enforcement, though city hall has questioned that assertion. Drivers are protected from passengers by a vinyl curtain.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference last week, Health Minister Paul Merriman said he has heard from multiple groups concerned about priority, and acknowledged their “valid” points.

However, he went on to say, vaccinating people based on their age remains the fastest and safest way to get doses into as many arms as possible once supplies are available.

Some health- and long-term-care workers were included in the first phase of the province’s vaccine plan.

Saskatoon firefighters are also concerned about priority because they do the same work as ambulance paramedics, most of whom have already had their first dose of the vaccine. No firefighters have had the shot.

A total of 164 doses were administered on Monday, bringing the total to 49,809 — just over four per cent of the population.

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