Group of federal employees launches fight against vaccine mandate – CBC

Those who refuse without a valid reason will be put on unpaid leave, government says

Oct 26, 2021

Hundreds of federal public servants are organizing in an effort to avoid complying with the government’s new mandatory vaccination rules, despite the government maintaining the mandate is necessary to protect employees from COVID-19.

The group, called Feds for Freedom, says they’re not anti-vaccine but don’t agree with the policy because — in their view — it violates their rights to privacy and bodily autonomy.

“One member’s loss of rights and freedoms is a loss of rights and freedoms for every member across the federal public service,” said founder Stacey Payne, adding the group has more than 4,000 supporters.

The group’s website provides tips and documents for employees, including sample letters that can be sent to their employer and union.

But Payne insists the volunteer-run group is not offering medical or legal advice, just providing support for workers who feel they’re not getting it from their unions.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/employees-protest-federal-vaccine-mandate-1.6223813