Bulletin #56
October 6, 2021
VACCINE MANDATE
Sisters, Brothers, Comrades,
This morning the Government of Canada and Transport Canada (TC) has provided additional information regarding mandatory vaccinations. The Union is currently reviewing the information and we have a meeting with Transport Canada on the morning of October 7, 2021, for additional details. A highlighted excerpt is provided below, as well as a link to the full statement from Transport Canada.
As of October 30, employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors will be required to establish vaccination policies for their organizations. Specifically, the vaccination requirement will apply to:
- airlines and airports, and other organizations who have employees who enter restricted areas of airports, such as concession and hospitality workers
- federally regulated railways, and their rail crew and track employees
- marine operators with Canadian vessels that operate with 12 or more crew
Transport Canada will use its specific regulatory and oversight authorities related to operations of federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation service providers to ensure that the transportation system and these workplaces are safe through vaccination mandates. Each organization will be required to implement a rigorous policy, which must:
- Include a provision for employee attestation/declaration of their vaccination status;
- Include a description of consequences for employees who do not comply or who falsify information; and
- Meet standards consistent with the approach taken by the Government of Canada for the Core Public Administration.
After a short phase-in period, each organization is required to guarantee employees are fully vaccinated or they will be unable to work.
The Government of Canada is engaged with industry and labour groups to discuss the details to ensure an effective implementation of the requirements.
As more information becomes available, it will be shared with Local Presidents for dissemination as well through additional bulletins.
What we know:
- TC has required BCFS to implement a policy regarding vaccine mandates
- The mandate must apply to vessels with 12 or more crew
- The policy must meet the standards consistent with the approach taken by the government of Canada for the Core Public administration.
We are also engaging with BCFS on the creation and implementation of internal policies and potential timelines as it relates to the Transport Canada mandate. The Union will continue to review all legal and labour relations requirements that may pertain to members’ employment rights.
In Solidarity,
Eric McNeely
To view as a pdf: Bulletin #56 Vaccine Mandate