The Good Samaritan Society (GSS), with locations in Alberta and British Columbia, has informed all unvaccinated staff they have until May 13 to provide proof of vaccination or be terminated..Although Alberta Health Services (AHS), at the direction of the Alberta government, announced its mandatory vaccine policy for medical workers was to lift on March 15, some facilities, including the GSS, kept the policy in place and have not permitted unvaccinated staff to return to work..GSS is a faith-based, not-for-profit charity with several long-term care (LTC) facilities in Alberta and BC. On Monday, GSS served its unvaccinated staff, currently on an unpaid leave of absence (LOA), with a letter stating they have until May 13 to provide their manager with confirmation of proof of vaccination for at least one dose and documentation confirming a booked appointment for the second dose, or will face termination..“GSS strongly urges you to reconsider your decision regarding vaccination against COVID-19 in order that you can return to your job to provide care and services to our residents and clients,” said GSS in its letter to the employee..A registered nurse (RN), who has worked with GSS for 15 years, spoke with the Western Standard under the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal from her employer..“Unvaccinated GSS staff have been on unpaid leave since December 1 and now have been informed that their continued non-compliance with an experimental drug administration will result in their termination on May 13,” said the RN..“The double standard of allowing select sites to pick and choose which government policies they follow is completely discriminatory and divisive.”.The RN said she heard management at GSS making comments about the unvaccinated staff..“They’ve said things like, ‘unvaccinated staff don’t deserve to have their jobs back’ while complaining they are constantly short-staffed with excessive overtime,” she said..The nurse said she has chosen to remain unvaccinated because her husband suffered a vaccine injury and she has children that “need a healthy parent to care for them.”.“I planned his funeral three times last summer,” said the distraught RN through tears..“Within days of his second COVID-19 shot, he got extremely sick and lost 43 pounds. He ended up seeing a specialist who told him he was definitely injured by his vaccine.”.The RN said she reached out to the Minister of Health on April 11 and was informed two days later her email had been forwarded to AHS..“The current AHS staff immunization policy as implemented is consistent with government direction,” said the email reply from the office of the president and CEO of AHS..“Any specific decisions as to how a contractor intends to address any individual staff member lies solely with the contractor. The best advice we can provide is to continue discussing this matter with your employer or your union representative if you are part of the collective agreement.”.“I’ve heard from many of my coworkers that outbreaks are still happening at my GSS facility even though all the staff and residents are double and triple vaxxed and they haven’t let any unvaccinated people in for months,” said the RN..“How is it that when AHS implemented a mandatory vaccination policy for all staff and contractors, everyone had to comply. Now AHS has lifted the policy and contractors can decide whether they want to comply or not.”.“GSS is AHS and government-funded so they should have to comply with AHS policy.”.The RN — a union member under the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) — said the union did not defend its members put on unpaid LOA by employers when AHS implemented its proof of vaccination policy..However, with the update to AHS’ vaccination policy allowing unvaccinated staff to return to work mid-March, UNA said it will now defend any members facing termination..“We’re a little confused as to why the vaccination policy is different for different employers,” said David Harrigan, UNA’s director of labour relations..“We understand that AHS policy applies to all they do business with, including the Good Samaritan Society.”.“It’s (AHS’ vaccine policy) changed so many times with differing policies that it no longer makes sense anymore. If it’s safe here, it should be safe everywhere. It’s just become unreasonable now.”.Harrigan confirmed UNA will support its members and will be filing grievances for any employee that is terminated with GSS or any other healthcare facility continuing to implement a proof of vaccination policy..“Long-term care residents are suffering from this ongoing policy and disregard,” said the RN..“Our elderly and infirm population housed in LTC facilities deserve to have consistent and professional staffing levels guaranteed.”.The RN said it is also concerning to see “agency nurses” filling in and being paid “substantially more than a regular nurse.”.“I was good enough to work through the pandemic with inadequate PPE, face shields and no N-95 masks most of the time, but now because I am unvaccinated, I’m not,” she said..The Western Standard contacted the Minister of Health’s office and was redirected to AHS..Although AHS confirmed the update to its immunization policy allowed unvaccinated workers and contractors working on behalf of AHS to return to work, it said employers “may have additional requirements based on their own policies that apply within their organization.”.“Contracted service providers would be expected to meet the minimum requirements of the AHS immunization policy but their own additional requirements may still require workers to be fully immunized,” AHS told the Western Standard..“Our healthcare system is collapsing in front of our eyes, yet, I have been willing to work for four months and can’t,” said the RN..“It’s important to my family and I, that we retain our experienced healthcare workers to continue doing with they love to do best — provide excellent care to Albertans.”.“Have we truly lost our moral and ethical compass in society to the extent that we coerce people into taking experimental medical treatments or risk having their ability to support their families threatened?”.The RN said she is hopeful her union will be successful in supporting her and all other unvaccinated staff who are terminated..The GSS refused comment..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,mrisdon@westernstandard.news,.Twitter: @melrisdon
