Editor: In response to Merle Knutson’s letter to the editor in The Chatham Voice Nov. 15, I would like to expand on his excellent insight on mandatory vaccines. Specifically, I am writing about CKHA’s policy that used coercion and bullying tactics to get final compliance from its workers.
The workers were told that they could apply for human rights, medical or religious exemptions, of which many employees did, however, few, if any, were granted. They were then threatened with termination. Many capitulated under the pressure. Others stayed strong in their convictions and then were terminated for not complying.
The Ontario government wanted a vaccination policy in place for all workplaces. CKHA did not have to have a mandatory vaccination policy in place – they could have chosen to do exactly what the municipality and the police service did, that is allow PCR testing to continue for those who chose not to be vaccinated.
Chief Gary Conn got it right when he was quoted in The Chatham Voice stating: “We believe this mandate is equitable, fair and consistent with the municipality which allows everyone a choice,” referring to allowing for testing for staff in advance of their first day or evening shift.
Bravo for Chief Gary Conn, who isn’t even a health-care worker, yet he respects body autonomy and free choice, unlike CKHA’s CEO Lori Marshall, who terminated 27 healthy, loyal, knowledgeable, experienced health-care workers. She was neither apologetic nor sympathetic to the health-care workers that were terminated for simply refusing to get the vaccine.
All of them had agreed to rapid antigen testing but that wasn’t good enough.
The uptick in vaccine compliance only happened because the workers that stayed felt they had no choice but to get jabbed to keep their jobs and provide for their families. Some went on stress leave because of the policy, while others tearfully and reluctantly rolled up their sleeves, causing mental anguish as many were crying as they were going against their conscientious beliefs.
Prior to the vaccination mandate, CKHA already had staff shortages with employees being called in regularly to cover shifts. Firing an additional 27 staff who willingly complied with the regular antigen testing that twice weekly indicated that they were COVID-free, proves that the CEO of CKHA doesn’t care about the mental or emotional health of any of its workers.
I viewed a termination letter and it was cold, rude, and blunt. Does the public realize that these heartbreaking termination notices went to employees who willingly and bravely worked with COVID patients throughout the entire pandemic? Whatever happened to “we are all in this together?”
Of late, I noticed some colourful signage on the doors of the hospital. These signs state: “Be kind.” Does this also apply to the administration of CKHA?
To the shunned, unvaccinated, and now terminated CKHA employees, I wish to say the following: You do not deserve to be treated this way by CKHA or any employer. You deserve to have your jobs back. Thank you for caring for the sick and the dying in our region for decades. Thank you for your dedication and especially for standing side by side with us in the community throughout the darkest days of the pandemic. We appreciate you.
You were our heroes then, and you still are our heroes
Noella Houle
Chatham-Kent
