BC longshore union asks federal government to stay out of its business when it comes to vaccines
ILWU Canada has requested the federal government not make vaccines mandatory for its workers.
Published
5 days ago
October 15, 2021
The union has been representing workers in British Columbia since 1948 and is currently the exclusive bargaining agent for over 7,200 men and women throughout the province. Doing so on a federal, provincial, and municipal level.
“The Canada Labour Code requires that workers have a say in safety at their workplaces and the Government of Canada should not take this right away from us,” writes Ashton, who in the following paragraph invites Transport Canada or any other government department to discuss his concerns further.
The contentious topic of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations left a gaping wound throughout many social and professional environments, and the workplaces represented by ILWU are no exception.
Some wish to have their individual choices — decided upon for a wide variety of reasons relative to the individual — respected. Others demand their own medical decisions be applied to their colleagues in the form of an ultimatum, and are willing to bequeath autonomy to the state if it means said ultimatum is achieved.