Bulletin
Vaccination Policy at ICBC
March 15, 2022
To: All MoveUP members at ICBC
Background
ICBC implemented a vaccination policy as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic this past October. They then put several members on unpaid leaves of absence as of November 22, 2021. Although MoveUP supports vaccination policies as a matter of workplace health and safety, the union took issue with some of the troubling aspects of the policy by filing a grievance and a Section 54 application with the BC Labour Relations Board. The third step of the policy grievance was heard on December 10, 2021. The employer denied the grievance and the union advanced the grievance to arbitration.
Current issue
As many of you know B.C. lifted its mask mandate for indoor public spaces Friday March 11, 2022, and announced that the use of vaccine passports may no longer be required effective April 8, subject to developments.
This has led to speculation regarding what the employer plans to do moving forward with employees who are on unpaid leave due to their non-vaccination status.
ICBC has advised MoveUP that the employer is keeping things status quo in terms of mandating that employees be vaccinated. The employer will be revisiting the policy as future provincial health orders are announced or decisions become known with respect to grievances being dealt with at other public sector employers.
MoveUP will continue seeing the policy grievance through the arbitration process. The Section 54 application has been held in abeyance and is awaiting a decision from a case presented by a union that likely will set the precedent for all similar applications regarding vaccination policies.
It is our hope that we have seen the definitive end of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is our wish to get all employees back to work as soon as possible. Moving forward let’s show compassion for all employees working or on leave.
In solidarity,
Lee Stowell, Union Representative