Union files grievance over Yukon govt's mandatory vaccine policy
CBC
The Yukon Employees' Union filed a grievance against the territorial government over concerns about its mandatory vaccination policy.
The union filed the grievance challenging the "arbitrary nature of the announcement" and the government's "failure to consider less invasive alternatives" including any exceptions for those who cannot get vaccinated due to health reasons, according to an internal letter sent to union members.
"YEU is not budging," the letter continues. "This employer must respect its workers. We will not agree to any mandate that is punitive in practice."
CBC News reached out to Steve Geick, the president of the Yukon Employees' Union, for comment but did not receive a reply before publication.
On Oct. 15, the Yukon government announced that all public service employees and those who work for non-government organizations must have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by November 30.
The union accuses the government of rushing ahead with the vaccination policy without having a plan.
Currie Dixon, the leader of the opposition, takes that same stance.
"The lack of information on this is concerning," he told reporters after Monday's session in the Legislative Assembly. "We've heard from employees that this decision has cast a shadow over the territory."
John Streicker, the territory's minister of the public service commission, acknowledged that there are still "some details to work out" with the union and other groups.
He said the policy is another example of how the government is taking direction and advice from the chief medical officer of health.
"Those [public health] recommendations have always been about how to protect the health and wellness of Yukoners," Streicker said. "I think that's their job and I think that's what they gave to us."
Streicker said he will review the vaccination date to make sure public servants have enough time to get vaccinated.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
It’s been hard to keep track of how many legal challenges and active court proceedings the United Conservative government has tried to quash or pre-emptively block in the last six weeks, but let’s try to tally:
Margaret Walker, the emcee of a Waterloo vigil commemorating the victims of the Montreal massacre, doesn't feel enough is being done to reflect on the killings and address gender-based violence.
The P.E.I. Humane Society says it is doing far more fundraising than it used to, and rising expenses — including the cost of animal medications — are a big reason why.
Ottawa is staring down a court-ordered deadline to submit a new plan to reform the on-reserve child welfare system, as a group of First Nations leaders and children’s advocates prepare a competing proposal.
An underpass revitalization project that was meant to pay tribute to the people of Parkdale has instead deteriorated into “a garbage dump,” according to nearby residents.
A young man has been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm after a fire at a frat party near Western University that injured five sorority sisters, including two seriously, late Tuesday night.
The massive deal to combine one of Hollywood's oldest studios with a streaming giant hasn't even been approved yet, but it's already riling multiple related industries and politicians concerned about monopolies and media concentration.
Mi'kmaq chiefs and a former Nova Scotia justice minister are criticizing the provincial government for directing police to crack down on illegal cannabis, saying the order undermines relations with Indigenous Peoples.
For years, there has been “glaring inequity” in the way the province has allocated the millions of dollars in its county roads budget, according to Department of Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson.
Six months after passing a law aimed at making it easier for new grocery stores to open, Manitoba's premier says lower grocery bills could be on the horizon.
Timothy Smith was acting in self-defence when he punched Landon Waddell, and shouldn't be found guilty of manslaughter, his lawyer says.
Thoroughbred horse racing at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse is ending after more than a century, with the operator announcing Friday it will no longer run a racing season at the historic facility.