Fired BART Workers Win Big $7.8 Million Payout Over Vaccine Mandate

A federal jury has ruled in favor of six former BART employees who sued the Bay Area Transit Agency after losing their jobs over its 2021 Covid-19 vaccine mandate. As reported by ABC7 News , the former employees, who were denied religious exemptions and subsequently fired, will each receive over $1 million – totaling a $7.8 million payout from BART. The transit system is currently grappling with a $350 to $400 million deficit. BART was said to have granted employees vaccine exemptions, but plaintiffs argued they weren't accommodated. With the proper accommodation, they would have been able to work remotely or regularly get tested. Plaintiffs say they were not given these options and instead were let go. During Covid-19 lockdowns, financial hardships took over the nation , with an estimated 400,000 businesses closing permanently and millions of Americans losing their jobs in 2020. By the end of that year, 20 million U.S. households were experiencing food insecurity, and another 10 million were struggling to keep up with rent payments. Yet while citizens struggled during lockdowns, the net worth of Dr. Anthony Fauci rose from $7.5 million in 2020 to $12.6 million by 2022, as reported by OpenTheBooks . CEO Adam Andrzejewski reported on Fauci's financial gains during the pandemic, derived from salary boosts, non-profit awards totaling over $1 million, and a hefty investment portfolio. Fauci became the highest-paid federal employee and accepted a $1 million prize from the Israeli-based Dan David Foundation for "speaking the truth." Fauci’s wife, Christine Grady, also received nearly $2 million in federal compensation since 2015. Today, Fauci’s retirement package includes an anticipated annual pension of $350,000, exceeding even the president's compensation. Yet most Americans who lost their jobs or have gotten vaccine injuries have not been compensated. BART has not commented on the $7.8 million payout to all six former employees. Subscribe today to get unlimited access to all of Evie’s premium content.