Fanshawe faculty union files grievance to bring masks back indoors
The union representing Fanshawe College faculty has filed a grievance with the school over its masking policy.
"Fanshawe's abandonment of indoor masking, social distancing, and many other preventative measures has created an unsafe work environment," says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 110 in a media release.
The union did not make a representative available for an interview, but according to the release, it has heard from numerous members concerned for their own health and safety, as well as their family members.
It is Fanshawe's first full school year without COVID-19 measures since the pandemic began, which is in line with most other post-secondary schools in the province. However, Western University has maintained its mandatory masking policy, as well as requiring at least one COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.
"It doesn't make a difference to me, honestly," says Miquel Balles, a Fanshawe student. "It's a personal choice at the end of the day."
"A year or two ago I would have been masked," says student Sam Munday. "I think everyone has gotten it, I've gotten it. I tried to avoid it for a long time and now I'm not as worried as I was.
Fanshawe did not make a representative available for an interview either, but says in a statement the school is "following all provincial guidelines related to health and safety on campus."
The college has not reinstated mandatory masking or vaccine requirements "based on ongoing and regular discussions with local public health authorities."
Fanshawe says it is scheduling a hearing with the union shortly to discuss the grievance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.