FILE PHOTO

Image Credit: PEXELS/Gustavo Fring

Dozens of anti-vaxer BC nurses, who were fired for not getting vaccinated, have lost an appeal against their union.

According to a Dec. 30, 2024, BC Labour Relations Board decision, the 83 nurses argued the BC Nurses' Union had shown "blatant or reckless disregard" for their interests after they were fired for refusing to get the COVID shot.

The nurses argued their union had failed to take their fight to arbitration and instead entered into a settlement agreement they weren't happy with.

The decision said in May 2024, the BCNU came to a consent agreement whereby any nurses fired for not getting a COVID shot would be rehired if the Provincial Health Officer’s order is rescinded by January 31, 2025.

However, the nurses aren't happy with the union's agreement.

"The unfortunate and disastrous reality is that some BC nurses have been coerced into compromising their ethical standards in order to maintain employment. Due to government mandates forcing medical injections in order to be employed, nurses experienced immense distress in the form of personal discrimination and employer abuse," the nurses argued.

READ MORE: 'Toxic and unsafe': IH nurse's Human Rights complaint moves forward

The case was filed by former Interior Health Authority nurse Vera Meuleman, who had permission to represent all 83 fired nurses.

The anti-vaxxers said they were "blindsided" by the union's move to come to a consent order calling it the "illusion of justice" and not an acceptable remedy for nurses who got fired.

"We refuse to be victims of entities that attempt to further deny our rights. The Labor (sic) Board is fully aware of the law, the process, and the entitlements. We are educated, we are empowered, and we are resolute. We will not stop demanding restitution until we are made whole," the nurses argued.

However, the Labour Board dismissed their argument.

"The fact an individual employee disagrees with or suffers an adverse impact because of an employer’s COVID-19 vaccine policy does not, in and of itself, mean that a union’s refusal to pursue a grievance to arbitration is contrary to (Labour laws)," the Board ruled.

The nurses argued that the union saw them as "trouble makers and rabble-rousers," ignored their ethical objections and discriminated against them by not pursuing their rights "aggressively."

READ MORE: South Okanagan nurse took new job while on sick leave

However, the Labour Board pointed out that the union had pursued the nurses' case and come to a settlement and consent award.

"The (nurses) may not agree with or like the Union’s decision to settle the grievances on the terms set out in the Consent Award, but that alone does not establish an apparent breach of (labour law)," the Board ruled.

Ultimately, the board ruled that the BCNU's decision to settle was not made "arbitrarily, discriminatorily, or in bad faith" and dismissed the anti-vaxxers' appeal.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

News from © iNFOnews, 2025