THUNDER BAY - The union representing municipal workers in the city of Thunder Bay is speaking out against Mayor Bill Mauro’s calls for a COVID-19 vaccination policy for frontline city staff.
Mauro presented a motion during Monday night’s city council meeting asking city administration to prepare a report on a municipal vaccination policy for staff who have face-to-face interactions with the public.
The city is already mandated by the chief medical officer of health that some health care staff be required to either be vaccinated against COVID-19, provide medical reasons for an exemption, or take an information course on the vaccine.
Municipal workers that could be impacted by the policy include paramedics, transit workers, and sewer and water workers.
Dana Vacek, president of CUPE Local 87, which represents city of Thunder Bay municipal workers, spoke out against such a policy in a post on social media.
“We do not feel that mandatory or proof of vaccination is the appropriate approach for city staff,” Vacek wrote. “We do hope all of our members who can take the vaccine do so, but that does not mean those who either choose not to or do not want to disclose should have their livelihood put in jeopardy.”
Mauro said on Monday that it is not entirely clear what a vaccine policy would look like and other municipalities are also facing similar struggles.
“We are not certain. I have talked to a couple other colleagues of mine, there was some news media where the mayor in Ottawa said his legal team has advised him that they can’t mandate a vaccine policy,” Mauro said. “So things are sort of a bit vague, but I think it’s important we have something in place.”
Vacek added that CUPE Local 87 was disappointed that Mauro made a vaccination policy for municipal workers a public issue before consulting with unions.
City council voted in favour of Mauro’s motion directing city administration to provide a report on a possible vaccination policy. The report will be brought back to council on Sept. 13.
The report will include consultations with unions representing city workers.
