ICBC Suspension of COVID-19 mandate and what that means for you

Moments ago, ICBC announced that they will be suspending their COVID-19 vaccination mandate, effective October 17, 2022.  This mandate was implemented in November 2021 as a protective measure to keep workers safe, and to limit the spread of COVID-19.

ICBC has advised that although the mandate has been suspended, it has not been eliminated.  The employer retains the right to re-implement the policy should they believe it necessary.

What does this change mean?

For most of our members this change will have little or no impact. However, for a small group of members who have been on unpaid leaves of absence, they will be welcomed back to ICBC and able to resume their work.

When does this change in policy occur?

This change takes place as of October 17, 2022.  Managers will be contacting their staff who have been placed on an unpaid leave of absence to determine if they wish to return to ICBC and to determine when they are available.

What if I can’t come back right away?

ICBC has accounted for this possibility, and they expect returning employees to communicate their availability and arrange an appropriate date to return on or before November 14, 2022. If you are unable to meet ICBC’s expectations for a return-to-work date, please contact us at icbcconnect@moveuptogether.ca.

What if someone chose to take a leave of absence last November due to their vaccine policy, instead of waiting to be placed on a leave of absence?

We asked ICBC to contact these members as well to see if they wish to cut their leave short and return to ICBC now. It is unclear how many people took that option last November so if you are in that situation and would like to return to work before your leave of absence is scheduled to end, please contact your manager immediately, otherwise, you will be expected to return at the end of your chosen leave of absence.

What is going to happen with the grievance and Section 54 complaint MoveUP filed last year?

We continue to pursue both and we will send updates as these matters proceed. For the grievance arbitration, written submissions were completed last month to Arbitrator Ken Saunders. We are now waiting to see if those submissions are sufficient or if he will request oral argument.

Without question, this entire pandemic has been a very stressful time for everyone, regardless of where each person lands on the issue of vaccinations and specifically this policy.  We are confident that all our members will remain committed to a workplace free of harassment and stigmatization as we welcome back our coworkers across the province.

In Solidarity

Annette Toth, Vice-President, ICBC
Kevin Smyth, Senior Union Representative
Trevor Hansen, Union Representative