The Board of Directors would like to thank all members for their efforts to create a safe workplace and community over the past two years.
Since the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) announced their vaccination policy last summer, PIPSC has had issues with both the policy and its implementation. There was no proper consultation, nor a comprehensive process of correctly identifying all the possible circumstances faced by our members. Appropriate solutions were not developed by the employer to deal with many individual situations.
It is unacceptable that the employer implemented a policy with such harsh impacts on our members without appropriate consultation. Our Employment Relations Officers have been, and continue to be, available to support members who find themselves in an unjust situation.
As we view the policy as a temporary measure, and with the high vaccination rates achieved across Canada, we urge the employer to determine when the policy will no longer be required. As provinces ease restrictions, the employer must do the same and allow members on Leave Without Pay (LWOP) to come back to work. Furthermore, the employer needs to ensure appropriate health and safety measures for all. Once the employer lifts the vaccine policy, PIPSC will, of course, continue to work with members that have any active grievances that arose while the policy was in place.
We will also continue to insist that the employer respect the Privacy Act and ensure that information related to a member's proof of vaccination be restricted to those with a “need to know.” Access to personal and private information must be limited only to those who are responsible for obtaining and verifying the vaccination information. The employer must also inform our members when they will dispose of private records.
We will continue to engage the TBS in talks related to vaccinations, masking and returning to the workplace. We demand that any future changes to your working conditions are made in collaboration with PIPSC and unions.
Together, we will get through this and ensure a safe and secure future.