THUNDER BAY – A report on COVID-19 vaccine policies for municipal workers will come before Thunder Bay’s city council next week.
In August, Mayor Bill Mauro called for a COVID-19 vaccine policy covering all municipal workers who interact with the public, in areas like transit, customer service, and sewer and water.
It’s expected city workers who do not provide proof of vaccination or medical exemption will be required to undergo regular testing and an education session, similar to what has been mandated by the province for hospitals, schools, and other broader public sector agencies.
City manager Norm Gale declined to discuss the policy before a report from his office on the policy is made public on Thursday.
The union representing the bulk of city workers is awaiting those details with interest.
Acting president of CUPE Local 87, Greg Burke, said he hasn’t yet seen a draft policy, but based on discussions with the city in recent weeks, he didn’t anticipate any particular objections.
However, he noted the union reserves the right to file grievances over any potential disciplinary consequences from the policy.
The union was previously critical of the city over an alleged lack of consultation, but Burke said administration has reached out for CUPE’s input.
The union has advocated for a middle ground approach to the issue, saying requirements like regular testing and education for the unvaccinated are reasonable, but no worker should be strictly required to be vaccinated.
The issue is a “polarizing” one among his membership, which includes around 800 city employees across numerous departments, said Burke.
According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, employers can require workers to disclose vaccination status under the provincial human rights code, if there’s a reasonable health and safety justification.
“Requiring proof of vaccination to ensure fitness to safely perform work, or protect people receiving services or living in congregate housing, may be permissible under the Code if the requirement is made in good faith and is reasonably necessary for reasons related to health and safety,” the OHRC states on its website.
A report on the city's vaccine policy will come before city council on Monday, Sept. 13.
