Federal public service employees put on leave without pay for refusing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination told a labour tribunal that infections in the workforce rose tenfold after the mandate was implemented, citing the government’s own data.
“Why did people become sick in such great numbers in the public service if they were immunized?” asked Bernard Desgagné, who represents two employees whose files are being adjudicated by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board.
The board is currently hearing its first case related to grievances from public servants whose salaries were withheld and employment insurance benefits denied for not complying with the vaccine mandate, which was in effect from October 2021 to June 2022….