Stellantis must end vaccine mandate for auto workers in Windsor, Brampton next week: arbitrator
An arbitrator has ruled Stellantis must lift its vaccine mandate for auto workers in its Windsor and Brampton assembly plants on June 25.
The decision comes after the company's unveiling of the policy in Oct. 2021. At the time, support was expressed by Unifor at the national level — but disputed at the local level.
What followed was a back-and-forth between workers who felt they were being punished for making a personal medical choice and a company that stood by its vaccination requirements.
In the end, an arbitrator has ruled that while the mandate's implementation was "reasonable" at the time of its release, that is no longer the case today.
About two weeks after the policy was released, a grievance was filed by three unions representing workers at the Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP), the WAP's security unit and the Brampton Assembly Plant.
On Friday, arbitrator Marilyn A. Nairn concluded the policy was "reasonable and continued to be reasonable" when it was first released.
But evidence supporting waning efficacy of vaccines overtime and a failure to establish "any notable difference" in the risk of transmission between vaccinated and unvaccinated workers, Nairn added, requires the mandate to be lifted.
"I am prepared to provide the Employer with a short window to consider and address whatever flows from this decision before the Policy is vacated," said Nairn, adding Stellantis' vaccine mandate will be "of no force or effect” as of June 25.
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy said his team has always believed "nobody should lose their job because of something they didn't want to put in their body."
"We thought that people should always have choice," said Cassidy, adding discussions will begin with the company "early this week" to figure out how to transition employees back into the workplace.
"Because they have to get their benefits and everything started back up,” he added.
Cassidy reiterated previous comments made during this dispute that Stellantis' vaccine mandate has been "the most divisive issue" he has dealt with during his tenure as local union president.
"People are frustrated when nobody has income coming in...I understand the frustrations that people have. So today is a good day,” he said.
According to documents submitted to the arbitrator, more than 300 employees have been placed on unpaid leave due to this policy — including 262 who are unvaccinated and 71 others who have not disclosed their status.
Of the 262 unvaccinated workers, 123 are "continuing to seek a medical or religious exemption under the Policy," the arbitrator said.
In a statement to CTV News, Stellantis spokesperson Lou Ann Gosselin said the company takes its obligation to provide a "safe and healthy working environment" seriously and is "very pleased" that the arbitrator considered its vaccine policy to be reasonable throughout its implementation.
"We are carefully reviewing the decision before determining next steps," said Gosselin.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video of brutal, violent beating of Tyre Nichols leaves many unanswered questions
The nation and the city of Memphis struggled to come to grips Saturday with video showing police pummeling Tyre Nichols -- footage that left many unanswered questions about the traffic stop involving the Black motorist and about other law enforcement officers who stood by as he lay motionless on the pavement.

Health Canada maintains use of COVID prevention drug Evusheld despite FDA pullback
Health Canada says it will continue to recommend COVID-19 prevention drug, Evulsheld, despite U.S. FDA pulling back its emergency use authorization due to concerns around its efficacy against Omicron subvariant 'Kraken.'
Germany won't be a 'party to the war' amid tanks exports to Ukraine: Ambassador
Germany's ambassador to Canada says NATO will not become 'a party to the conflict' in Ukraine, despite several countries announcing they'll answer President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's pleas for tanks, possibly increasing the risk of Russian escalation.
W5 EXCLUSIVE | Interviewing a narco hitman: my journey into Mexico's cartel heartland
W5 goes deep into the narco heartland to interview a commander with one of Mexico's most brutal cartels. W5's documentary 'Narco Avocados' airs Saturday at 7 pm on CTV.
OPINION | Selling a home? How to know if you qualify for a capital gains exemption
When selling a home, Canadians may be exempted from paying capital gains tax on a residential property -- if it's their principal residence. On CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains what's determined as a principal residence, and what properties are eligible for the exemption.
What we know -- and still don't know -- about what led to Tyre Nichols' death
Tyre Nichols was hospitalized after he was pulled over on January 7, police have said. Five Memphis Police Department officers, who also are Black, were fired after an internal investigation and are facing criminal charges, including second-degree murder.
Inflation-focused Pierre Poilievre back to Parliament as health-care talks loom
With a deal under negotiation between Ottawa and provinces, and premiers invited to a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early February, the issue remains one where the Tory leader's position appears somewhat murky, including to some inside his own party.
U.S. mass shootings lead to widening divide on state gun policies
Mass shootings have commanded public attention on a disturbingly frequent basis across the U.S., from a supermarket slaying in Buffalo, New York, to an elementary school tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, to a recent shooting at a California dance hall.
Taliban warn women can't take entry exams at universities
The Taliban on Saturday doubled down on their ban on women's education, reinforcing in a message to private universities that Afghan women are barred from taking university entry exams, according to a spokesman.