UCCO-SACC-CSN has been informed that the CSC will procure enough vaccines to vaccinate all staff and inmates. This vaccine is scheduled to be made available by mid-April.
As expected, when left in the hands of different provincial jurisdictions, we are seeing our membership treated much differently across the country. While in some provinces the vaccine has been offered to our members, as members of the first responder priority, some other provinces have failed in this recognition.
UCCO-SACC-CSN has been arguing this point since the beginning of the vaccine roll out and we are happy that the CSC has finally taken our recommendation to procure this vaccine for staff as well. Our demands surrounding the vaccination roll out were presented to Minister Bill Blair and they have obviously been heard.
We had wished this issue to be settled faster, however, a reluctance from the CSC to work with us slowed progress. Instead, we had to pressure the employer by going to the media and by making our demand heard with various leaders in the government including Minister Blair.
We are not yet aware as to which vaccine will be procured; however, the CSC has advised us that if you have received the first dose of a vaccine from the province, then you will need to receive your second dose in the province as well. Similarly, if you choose to receive your vaccine at the workplace, you will receive your second dose at the workplace.
This news is brand new, and we still have many unanswered questions from the employer. If you have questions yourself, do not hesitate to ask a member of your local executive.