Bulletin
BCH & Powertech – Update on employer vaccination policies
November 18, 2021
To: All MoveUP members at BCH & Powertech
We want to provide all our members with an update on the work we have been doing related to appealing certain sections of your employer’s vaccine mandates.
First, we want to be clear again that in general, our union supports health and safety policies that are designed to protect the interests of workers and, by extent, the public.
In our current environment dealing with a global pandemic, we feel that a COVID-19 vaccination mandate can be justifiable and appropriate if implemented properly. We also encourage all members who can do so to get vaccinated, and we are committed to supporting our members through this process. With that said, we have a duty to represent all members and to ensure any policy is reasonable and that all avenues, including less intrusive ones, are considered.
At BC Hydro and Powertech, we have filed a section 54 adjustment plan application at the Labour Relations Board and that is currently being reviewed. We have also filed a policy grievance that will address the reasonableness of certain portions of the mandate.
It is important for all our members to know that the policy grievance process can be long and may take up to several months. The policy grievance is also designed to address areas to ensure the policy is implemented fairly and appropriately, to ensure all options are considered, not to eliminate the policy if it is deemed to be appropriate and justified.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your union representative.
In solidarity,
David Black, President
Lori Mayhew, Secretary-Treasurer
Rysa Kronebusch, Vice-President, Utilities
Annette Toth, Vice-President, ICBC
Christy Slusarenko, Vice-President, Combined Units
Cheryl Popeniuk, Senior Union Representative