URGENT NOTIFICATION TO CUASA BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS

September 8, 2021

URGENT NOTIFICATION TO CUASA BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS

The University informed the Association this evening, and after hours, of its intent to implement a spectrum of discipline to accompany its new mandatory COVID vaccination policy at midnight tonight. It is the Association’s understanding that members’ information provided to the University has already been reviewed for such labour relations purposes. The University refused to provide the particulars to the Association this evening of how such conclusions were made.

As such, the Association is unable to identify which members will be prematurely alleged to have failed to comply with the new policy and the need for a general broadcast was determined in order to ensure that everyone is apprised of the situation fairly.

Members are reminded that the policy specifically stated that the first phase of implementation was scheduled to be from September 8, 2021, and October 15, 2021, and that the policy applies to those who need to attend in-person for on campus activities or instructions. Members also have the right to make an application for exemption pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

In the absence of any clarity as to how the University completed their compliance investigations and why these timelines have been expedited on such short notice, the Association was left with no other choice this evening but to serve notice of an Article 29 Association complaint.

Any members who receive notice from any persons threatening warnings, suspensions or other types of remedial actions are to email [email protected] without delay. Members are reminded that they have the right to representation during these types of processes.