NDP gets tough on anti-vaxxers in the workplace
Without any clear implementation of the vaccine mandate, the National Democratic Party (NDP) has warned of possible termination to employees who will refuse to get the jabs against COVID-19 despite government orders.
"We have to be clear that the health and safety of Canadians must come first," NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told The Globe and Mail in a statement.
"To get as many people vaccinated as possible, we need to back up the commitment with actions," he added.
According to Singh, if a worker refuses to get the jabs, consequences could include progressive discipline up to termination.
"For employees who still refuse to be vaccinated, without a reason related to health status, we would expect that the collective agreement would be followed," he told The Globe and Mail. "All collective agreements include a process for progressive discipline – up to and including termination. Discipline should always be a last resort but may be necessary in rare cases to protect the health and safety of Canadians."
NDP's initiative comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently made COVID-19 vaccines a requirement for all federal workers, and those who work under federally regulated industries. Despite its announcement, however, the details of the order and its implementation remain unknown to the public.
Trudeau said on Monday that the goal of the order is not to publish people who refuse to get the shots, but to protect Canadians from those who remain unvaccinated. He added that his Liberal Party would also coordinate with public service unions on how to deal with employees who still do not want to get the vaccines.
