Wednesday, November 17, 2021 Vol. 44, No. 46
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First winter storm of the season Snow drifts piled high and heavy snow stuck to trees in Viking Tuesday morning as a massive storm system with snow and gusty winds blew through the region.
Viking council passes mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for town employees Patricia Harcourt Editor
Viking council passed a policy November 15 to strengthen the mandatory vaccination mandate for all employees working for the town. The policy “GOV-014 Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination by Employees,” was passed unanimously. In October, council had passed a resolution to inform town employees of the two doses of vaccination they would need to have in place by the end of December. CAO Don McLeod presented council with a policy recommended by the town’s lawyer, which he said would be posted on the town’s website. The policy states, in part: “The Town of Viking (Employer) fosters and maintains a healthy and safe environment in the best
interests of all employees, clients and other stakeholders. As a part of the Employer’s efforts to do so, and having regard to the unprecedented risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to the health and safety of individuals, organizations and broader society, the Employer is mandating that all employees receive a vaccine as a condition of continued employment, unless exempt.” The policy also discusses deadlines for this to be done that are a condition of continued employment. The employer may require that the employee provide proof of vaccination, or confirmation of his or her intent to have vaccination done. Consequences listed for not doing this range from termination of employment for just cause, being placed on unpaid leave until the employee complies with the policy, or other consequences as determined by the employer.
An employee can request an exemption based on having a medical condition, a sincerely held religious belief or practice which prohibits receiving the vaccine, or another reason. At the October meeting, council passed a motion directing that all staff working for the Carena must be vaccinated - the first shot given no later than November 15 and the second shot no later than December 31. Those failing to adhere to this directive would be placed on administrative leave without pay. At that time, the town also agreed to give staff three hours paid time to go and get vaccinated. With the policy now passed as well, the employees will have to decide. “It’s their choice,” said McLeod, “to be fully vaccinated by the end of the year or they will be placed on administrative leave.”