90% of municipal employees comply with COVID-19 vaccination policy
With the deadline passed, nine out of every 10 municipal employees in London are complying with city hall’s new COVID-19 vaccination policy. The rest risk losing their jobs.
Municipal employees had until Sept. 29 to submit proof that they have been fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19, or declare a Human Rights or medical exemption.
Those with a single dose have until Nov. 1 to receive their second shot.
“That gives me a lot of reason to be optimistic,” City Manager Lynne Livingstone tells CTV News. “I really do believe that number will be going up.”
The policy applies to 3,100 municipal employees, meaning about 300 remain non-compliant.
Livingstone says beginning next week, civic administration will begin having conversations with employees who have not yet submitted an attestation.
“I think out of those conversations we are going to hear from employees who have had one dose or none, but plan to be compliant by Nov. 1,” she adds.
If an employee remains non-compliant, they will be placed on unpaid leave and subject to discipline up to and including termination.
Representing inside workers, CUPE Local 101 is city hall’s largest union.
Acting President Philip Boyd has already recommended the vaccine hesitant consult with the health unit or their doctor.
“We would like to see as few people disciplined as possible,” explains Boyd. “If people can be compliant with supplying some kind of disclosure, that would ideally be the best route for people.”
If a Human Rights or medical exemption on an attestation form is found to be false, the employee could be punished under city hall’s ethics policy.
“We accept those on good faith, however, the Ontario Human Rights Commission describes the definition of a creed. So, a singular view, (or) not believing in or not accepting the vaccine, is not an accepted grounds,” warns Livingstone.
City hall’s business continuity plan will ensure municipal services are not impacted in the event employees are placed on unpaid leave.
London police and London transit each have their own COVID-19 vaccination policies.
A policy for members of city council will be considered soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.