A labour arbitrator has dismissed another union petition opposing vaccine mandates, this time at a Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd. plant in British Columbia..The company had a right to ask workers to show proof of vaccination even if the science was “uncertain,” said the arbitrator..“We are collectively, in my view, at a time of scientific uncertainty at least from a legal perspective,” wrote Randall Noonan of New Westminster, the arbitrator in the case..Vaccine mandates were precautionary, he added: “That is, not as a reaction to a problem in a particular workplace after it has arisen but rather to prevent it arising in the first place.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, teamsters Local 213 challenged the Coca-Cola order that all employees show proof of full vaccination effective last January 1. The union filed its petition on behalf of Alec Kaloesnichenko, a microbiologist at a company lab in Richmond, B.C. who testified he was not vaccinated and had contracted COVID..“I understand data,” testified Kaloesnichenko. “After I got COVID, I decided not to get vaccinated because immunity after you get it is just as strong or stronger.”.“Having survived COVID, I didn’t want to take any chances,” testified Kaloesnichenko. The Coke lab technician noted there've been no long term studies on impacts of COVID vaccines..Kaloesnichenko was suspended without pay last January 28. He told the labour board he faced having to sell his home to meet his family’s expenses..“He said initially he was scared to be vaccinated,” wrote Noonan. “As the pandemic went on however he began to question ‘what was going on.’”.“The union argues even if the vaccination policy was effective at some point it should now be lifted,” wrote Noonan..Coca-Cola removed its mask mandate and Canadians were “now just supposed to live with it,” said Teamster lawyers..Maintaining the mandate was reasonable even if it was not spelled out in the Teamsters’ contract, said the arbitrator. “Unchecked the virus can spread quickly through workplaces and through the community at large with devastating consequences,” wrote Noonan..Workers at another Coca-Cola plant in Brampton, ON last March lost a similar appeal against the company policy. An October 27 management memo warned employees they faced “the possibility of significant discipline up to and including termination” for failure to show proof of vaccination..Currently 97% of Coca-Cola employees are fully vaccinated in Canada. The rate is 90% for the general adult population.
