A federal arbitrator ruled that VIA Rail violated the Canada Labour Code when it fired a locomotive engineer because he refused to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.. COVID-19 vaccine .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, how many government employees were suspended without pay or fired for failing to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination is still being determined..“VIA did not have just and sufficient cause,” wrote Graham Clarke in his decision, the federal arbitrator in the case. .READ MORE Ed Dowd tells Tucker Carlson COVID vaccines explain 'cause unknown' deaths in young people.The railway “decided on its own initiative to add disciplinary consequences for non-vaccinated employees,” said Clarke..Louison Tessier, a VIA engineer for 19 years, was fired on January 24, 2022. Tessier’s union, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, successfully challenged the termination. The Teamsters contract stated no member could be fired “without a fair and impartial hearing.”.When VIA fired Tessier, there was no “new recommendation from public health authorities” to justify firing employees. .“VIA never explained why on January 24 it was necessary to immediately terminate Mr Tessier’s employment rather than keep him on leave without pay,” said Clarke..“The policy was unreasonable.”.Clarke ordered VIA to rehire Tessier and “remove from his file any reference to the termination of employment.” .READ MORE Sask United Party wants respect for healthcare privacy and overworked staff.VIA and the Teamsters will negotiate Tessier’s compensation..Cabinet last June 20 suspended its vaccine mandate for federal employees. The mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements were introduced on November 30, 2021, though no public health agency order required it..In one federal department, Environment Canada, employees were suspended though virtually its entire workforce, 99 percent, was fully vaccinated, according to an internal audit. Other federal agencies like the Bank of Canada suspended employees even if they were working from home.. COVID-19 Vaccine Needle .At least 2,560 federal employees were suspended, according to piecemeal payroll records tabled in Parliament. The number of firings is unknown..Attorney General David Lametti last June 15 said disciplinary measures were legal. “We are on solid legal footing,” Lametti told reporters. .“That is the analysis that I do.”.“Has the government done the legal analysis that it knows will stand up in court?” asked a reporter. .“I give my advice to cabinet, so I’m not going to give it to you,” replied Lametti. .“I’m not giving you a legal opinion. I give my legal opinions to cabinet.”.“I always believe that when we promulgate a law, we’re on solid legal footing,” said Lametti. .“That’s part of my job.”.READ MORE Justice Centre defends Sask COVID-19 anti-lockdown protestors.“But the mandates weren’t a law,” said a reporter. .“We’re confident whether it’s a law, whether it’s a regulation that we promulgate or a rule that we promulgate, we’re confident that we’re on solid legal footing,” replied Lametti.
