Local 707 Ford Council Bargaining Committee Update- Regarding Company’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy- March 17th 2022

Brothers and Sisters,

The Local 707 bargaining committee continues discussion with management about our concerns with the Ford of Canada Vaccine policy. At the time of writing this article Ford of Canada has indicated that they will continue to move forward with their mandatory vaccine policy, despite provincial changes on March 1^st and March 21st, 2022.

Ford of Canada has indicated that employees who are not fully vaccinated or do not have an approved accommodation will be placed on an unpaid leave effective March 28^th 2022.

We continually demand that the company answer all accommodation requests in a timely manner and it remains the position of Local 707 bargaining committee that we do not support the Ford Motor Company’s Vaccination Policy in its current form. As we cannot support a policy that would terminate our members for not being vaccinated, which includes any form of undefined unpaid leave.  

For Local 707 members that are placed on unpaid leave by the Ford Motor Company effective March 28^th 2022.

Individual Member Grievances

The Union Hall will be available from Monday, March 28^th though to Friday, April 1^st , 2022 for members affected to file individual grievances for any unjust unpaid leaves.

• Members affected can register and schedule an individual appointment prior to March 28^th on our Unifor Local 707 website, under the title Appoiintments “Unpaid leaves – Specific scheduled appointment for Grievance”. or click on this link (below) https://uniforlocal707.org/unpaid-leaves-specific-scheduled-appointments-for-grievances/
• We must insist that each member that wishes to file a grievance, schedule a physical appointment, prior to April 1^st, 2022 to ensue time limits are meet to file the grievance.
• If you have issues online registering for an appointment, please contact our Local Union Hall and speak with Judy our staff Office administrator, who will be able to assist.
• Appointments will be no longer than 20 minutes in length and require each member to sign their grievance.
• As we anticipate a high volume of grievances; therefore, we insist that all members be on time for their appointments as we will not be able to accommodate any unscheduled walk-in appointments.
• The company has indicated they will be providing a statement or notice to any member placed on unpaid leave, we ask that you bring this statement or notice to your scheduled grievance appointment at the Union Hall.

As the March 28^th deadline approaches, tension and frustration will no doubt increase, therefore I would ask that all members be respectful of an individual’s choice. For members that may be placed on unpaid leave by the company, do not take any actions that could jeopardize or end your employment, such as creating work stoppages or any threats or violence against fellow union members or company management.

In Solidarity

Local 707 Bargaining Committee