Bulletin #65 BC Ferries Vaccine Policy Clarification

Bulletin #65
November 16, 2021

VACCINE POLICY CLARIFICATION

If you board a vessel at work

  1. By November 15th, 2021, you must have attested your status (with proof) or you will be assumed to be non-compliant with BCFS COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (HR14.0).
  2. If you are non-compliant, you will be placed on a Leave Without Pay (LWOP) as of November 15th, 2021.
  3. If you have a single vaccine dose or are awaiting a review of an accommodation or exception you will be required to test prior to your first shift and every 72hrs while working until a decision on accommodation has been determined and communicated or become fully vaccinated in compliance with 5 below.
  4. By December 15th, 2021, decisions on accommodations or exceptions will be completed. If accepted, continue to work with safety measures and testing in place. If denied, you will be placed on a LWOP.
  5. By January 24th, 2022, you will be required to be fully vaccinated to work.

 

If you NEVER board a vessel at work

  1. By December 15th, 2021, you must have attested your status (with proof) and/or requested an accommodation or exception from BCFS COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (HR14.0).
  2. By January 15th, 2022, decisions on accommodations or exceptions will be completed. Regardless of outcome you can continue to work if unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
  3. By February 28th, 2022, you must be fully vaccinated, or you will be placed on a LWOP.

 

Information about LWOP

First 60 days

Leave without pay Employee shall be placed on LWOP with their status reviewed within sixty (60) days, or earlier if they advise the Company they are in compliance with the policy. Employees who are on a LWOP will have their health and welfare benefits and seniority maintained for a period of 60 days.

Beyond 60 days

Review employee status. Following the 60-day period, employees will have the option of maintaining their health and welfare benefits at their own cost. An employee’s service, group and recall seniority will be adjusted for the periods of leave of 60 days or more.

Continued non-compliance will be subject to review and response by the Company

  • The above information is based on the BCFS COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (HR14.0), and it should be referred to for confirmation.
  • We do not know how many portions, such as severance, long service bonus, retirement options, return from retirement, may be addressed by the employer, however we are addressing on a case-by-case basis while working through a policy authored by BC Ferries.

 

The Union is reviewing the policy document and will address with the Company, inclusive of grievances, any policy items deemed unreasonable in application.

 

To view as a pdf: Bulletin #65 BC Ferries Vaccine Policy Clarification