Bulletin #20
April 8, 2021
LEAVE FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
Sisters, Brothers, Friends;
Please be advised you cannot be denied leave to receive, or assist dependents receiving, a scheduled COVID-19 vaccination per recent changes to BC’s Employment Standards’ Act, and you may be entitled to paid leave for COVID-19 vaccinations per our Collective Agreement. When scheduling your vaccine, we encourage you to work with your Crewing Office to help mitigate operational disruptions.
Ferry Worker COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
Should your scheduled COVID-19 vaccination take place during working hours, you may be entitled to STIIP leave per Article 23.07 provided it was not reasonably possible to schedule your vaccination outside regularly scheduled work hours. E.g. Article 23.07 may not apply for a delay of morning vs. afternoon, but may apply if faced with a longer or indefinite delay.
Please note, regardless of whether you claim paid leave under the Collective Agreement, the Company cannot deny you unpaid leave for a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment per BC’s Employment Standards Act.
Ferry Worker Dependent COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
Should your dependent’s scheduled COVID-19 vaccination take place during working hours, you may be entitled to Family Illness Leave (per Article 26.03) – such claims are subject to approval of the Company in view of the specific circumstances surrounding the claim; should such a claim be denied, please contact a Shop Steward or your Local President.
Please note, regardless of whether you claim paid leave under the Collective Agreement, the Company cannot deny you unpaid leave for a dependent’s scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment per BC’s Employment Standards Act.
Register for a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
As the phased roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines continues, our Union will continue to fight for Ferry Workers to be prioritized. While we continue these efforts, we encourage you to register today for your vaccine appointment through BC’s phased vaccine rollout: https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/
In Solidarity,
Graeme Johnston
Provincial President
To view as a pdf: Bulletin #20 Leave for COVID-19 Vaccinations