BCNU grieves health authorities' coercive flu policy

BCNU has filed an Industry Wide Application Dispute (IWAD) in response to health employers' continuing policy that makes flu vaccinations or wearing masks mandatory from November 1 to March 1 each year.

In September, BCNU President Gayle Duteil wrote to BC health employers asking them to revoke their policy in light of a recent arbitration that overturned Ontario health employers' mandatory flu 'vaccinate or mask' policy. This is the letter to Fraser Health and similar letters were sent other health authorities and Providence Health Care.

The Health Employers Association of BC responded with a disappointing letter saying the current policy would not be altered. BCNU then decided to file the IWAD.

Members must comply with the current policy while it's under grievance. This includes reporting to your employer your decision to either receive a vaccination, or decline a vaccination and wear a mask for the duration of the flu season.

Read more on the flu vaccination policy.