To: Unifor Local Union Presidents, Recording Secretaries, all staff
In August 2021, the National Executive Board adopted a statement saying that all events, courses, meetings and other activities organized by Unifor National and Unifor Regional Councils would require participants to provide proof of full vaccination prior to arriving on site.
As a result of this statement, Unifor developed a Comprehensive COVID-19 policy applicable at all Unifor offices, as well as at all meetings and events organized by Unifor National. The National Executive Board recently reviewed this policy in light of the evolving situation, including the increasing amount of COVID-19 cases as a result of a sixth wave in Canada.
Many provincial governments have begun to lift restrictions that have been in place during the Omicron wave, and prior. However, the effects of the pandemic are still being felt in communities across the country, and there still remains a certain level of uncertainty for the coming months. Communities who have so far been facing a disproportionate risk of COVID-19 transmission are facing great challenges today, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue to maintain health and safety protocols in solidarity with workers on the frontlines.
The National Executive Board has decided to keep Unifor’s COVID-19 policy in place for Unifor offices, meetings and events taking place until June 6, 2022. In the case of Regional Councils and regionally-held events, the policy may be adapted to regional public health guidelines where public health authorities overwhelmingly agree. A higher safety threshold will be maintained for events where members will be traveling from multiple regions in the country to gather.
The National Executive Board will revisit this decision in June 2022, ahead of Unifor’s Constitutional Convention and other events taking place over the summer. The Union remains committed to making any amendments to its policies and procedures using the best public health guidance available as we seek to balance our collective needs and obligations.
You can read the full statement from the National Executive Board, as well as the Comprehensive COVID-19 policy for Unifor events.
Please know that our union will continue to encourage full compliance with health and safety protocols for our events. We ask that all local unions do their part to keep everyone safe, and to act in solidarity and respect, when participating in our events.
In solidarity,
Lana Payne, National Secretary-Treasurer
Renaud Gagné, Quebec Director